Language In Clarissa, Evelina And Pride And Prejudice

inheritance (14) . Yet, he allows her to go off with the
granddaughter of a titled and well-respected woman.
Miss Mirvan goes to London because she is in the
very market that excludes Evelina. Notwithstanding the
source of Evelina's money, her legacy is not enough to
present her in decent society and make her a contender
for a strong marriage. Eileen Spring argues forcefully
that strict settlement resulted in a marked tendency
among wealthy sons of the aristocracy to go heiress
hunting ("Law, Economy and Society" 170-2) . Miss Mirvan
is in a position to take advantage of this trend.
Evelina's pittance by no means qualifies her for any such
thing. Lady Howard knows this. Mr. Villars knows this.
Even Miss Mirvan knows this. Joanne Cutting-Gray and
others have dealt with Evelina's innocence, but they do
not make note that Evelina seems to be the only one of
this group who does not understand that she is going to
London as a handmaiden, or, at best, a traveling
companion to Miss Mirvan (43-55).
Evelina' s position mirrors Mr. Villars' position. He
began his career as a companion to Mr. Evelyn, traveling
to Europe with him. Now he discharges his paternal duties
by raising Evelina to do and be the same. He commends her
to the Mirvans with his blessing, a blessing stronger and