Lord Orville Character Analysis in Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World

Lord Orville is a young nobleman; he’s Evelina’s love interest and Lady Louisa Larpent’s brother. Lord Orville is charming, polite, and compassionate. He has excellent manners, treating people politely not because he wants to make himself look good, but because he genuinely cares about others. After Lord Orville meets Evelina at a ball, he becomes protective over her, especially when he realizes how innocent and sheltered she is. Rather than try to take advantage of Evelina’s innocence like Sir Clement does, Lord Orville frequently checks on Evelina while she is in London and always gives her the benefit of the doubt if he sees her doing something improper. Rather than let Evelina make mistakes, Lord Orville always seeks to guide and educate her on how to behave in public. He is not overbearing, however, and does not force his opinions on Evelina—he simply offers her friendly advice whenever she needs it. Lord Orville also goes out of his way to include Evelina when others leave her out because of her lowly social status (she is estranged from her noble father, Sir John). This shows that Lord Orville treats everyone with the same courtesy, regardless of class. Lord Orville eventually falls in love with and proposes to Evelina before he knows that she is a noblewoman or that she is set to inherit Sir John’s fortune. Lord Orville isn’t ambitious or greedy like most of the other men Evelina meets in London—he’s motivated by his loves for Evelina rather than his own material gain. Like Evelina, he is a highly moral character and always tries to do the right thing.

Lord Orville Quotes in Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World

The Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World quotes below are all either spoken by Lord Orville or refer to Lord Orville. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Sensibility, Etiquette, and Appearances Theme Icon

The conversation of Lord Orville is really delightful. His manners are so elegant, so gentle, so unassuming, that they at once engage esteem, and diffuse complacence. Far from being indolently satisfied with his own accomplishments, as I have already observed many men here are, though without any pretentions to his merit, he is most assiduously attentive to please and to serve all who are in his company; and, though his success is invariable, he never manifests the smallest degree of consciousness.

Related Characters: Evelina (speaker), Lord Orville

Page Number and Citation: 63

Explanation and Analysis:

If, as I am very ready to acknowledge, I erred in writing to Lord Orville, was it for him to punish the error? If he was offended, could he not have been silent? If he thought my letter ill-judged, should he not have pitied my ignorance? have considered my youth, and allowed for my inexperience?

Related Characters: Evelina (speaker), Lord Orville, Sir Clement Willoughby

Page Number and Citation: 250

Explanation and Analysis:

Once, indeed, I thought there existed another,—who, when time had wintered over his locks—would have shone forth among his fellow creatures, with the same brightness of worth which dignifies my honored Mr. Villars

Related Characters: Evelina (speaker), Mr. Villars, Lord Orville

Related Literary Devices:

Page Number and Citation: 253-254

Explanation and Analysis:

Yet, when I reflected upon his peculiar situation, his poverty, his sadness, and, more than all the rest, the idea I knew he entertained of what he calls his obligations to me, I could not resolve upon a breach of promise, which might be attributed to causes of all other the most offensive to one whom misfortune has made extremely suspicious of slights and contempt.

Related Characters: Evelina (speaker), Mr. Macartney, Lord Orville

Page Number and Citation: 292

Explanation and Analysis:

"There is no young creature, my Lord, who so greatly wants, or so earnestly wishes for, the advice and assistance of her friends, as I do; I am new to the world, and unused to acting for myself,—my intentions are never willfully blamable, yet I err perpetually—I have, hitherto, been blessed with the most affectionate of friends, and, indeed, the ablest of men, to guide and instruct me upon every occasion; but he is too distant, now, to be applied to at the moment I want his aid[.]”

Related Characters: Evelina (speaker), Lord Orville, Mr. Villars

Related Literary Devices:

Page Number and Citation: 298-299

Explanation and Analysis:

What a strange letter! How proud and how piqued does its writer appear! To what alternate meanness and rashness do the passions lead, when reason and self-denial do not oppose them! Sir Clement is conscious he has acted dishonorably, yet the same unbridled vehemence which urged him to gratify a blamable curiosity, will sooner prompt him to risk his life, than confess his misconduct.

Related Characters: Evelina (speaker), Sir Clement Willoughby, Lord Orville

Page Number and Citation: 381

Explanation and Analysis:

Every wish of my soul is now fulfilled—for the felicity of my Evelina is equal to her worthiness!

Related Characters: Mr. Villars (speaker), Sir John Belmont, Evelina, Lord Orville

Related Literary Devices:

Page Number and Citation: 397

Explanation and Analysis:

Lord Orville Character Timeline in Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World

The timeline below shows where the character Lord Orville appears in Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Evelina hurries away from the man, but soon, another man named Lord Orville asks her to dance. Evelina agrees—although she is afraid to make a fool of herself—because,... (full context)

Innocence, Guidance, and Experience Theme Icon

Evelina thinks she has escaped without Lord Orville noticing until Mrs. Mirvan points out that he is looking for her. Evelina tries to... (full context)

Evelina finds the dance difficult and worries that Lord Orville must be terribly embarrassed by her. However, Lord Orville seems cheerful and helps Evelina learn... (full context)

When Evelina and Lord Orville find seats, Lord Orville asks Evelina questions on various subjects. Evelina is embarrassed because she... (full context)

Inheritance, Class, and Nobility Theme Icon

The man, Mr. Lovel, angrily tells Lord Orville that Evelina refused to dance with him before dancing with Lord Orville, which goes against... (full context)

...Evelina is ashamed of her faux pas and feels out of place in fashionable society. Lord Orville is extremely polite, however, and stays with her for the rest of the evening. (full context)

...tells Evelina that, while she was at the refreshment stand at the ball, she overheard Lord Orville talk to another man. The man says that Evelina is the most beautiful woman he... (full context)

...calm. The next day, the group goes to Ranelagh Gardens, and Evelina and Maria notice Lord Orville in the crowd. Although he catches their eye and bows to Evelina, Evelina avoids him... (full context)

Gender, Reputation, and Marriage Theme Icon

...or public ball, with the Mirvans the previous night. Although it was busy, Evelina noticed Lord Orville in the crowd. She felt certain that he would not want to dance with her... (full context)

Just as this exchange takes place, Evelina notices Lord Orville in the crowd; and Sir Clement decides that Lord Orville must be the partner who... (full context)

Sir Clement greets Lord Orville —it is clear that the pair know each other—and asks him why he has deserted... (full context)

The next morning, both Lord Orville and Sir Clement call at Mrs. Mirvan’s lodgings to inquire after Evelina’s health. Evelina refuses... (full context)

...and finds a seat for the group where they can have tea. Mrs. Mirvan recognizes Lord Orville among the crowds and asks him to join them, to Evelina’s intense mortification. She is... (full context)

...more irate. Flustered, Mrs. Mirvan invites Evelina and Maria to walk around with her, and Lord Orville hastily joins them. Evelina wants to apologize to Lord Orville for her behavior at the... (full context)

...to bicker, however, and a dismayed Mrs. Mirvan says that she wants to go home. Lord Orville leaves them, and they call their carriages. Monsieur Du Bois helps Madame Duval into her... (full context)

The next morning, Evelina is surprised when Lord Orville arrives at Mrs. Mirvan’s house. He has heard about their coach accident two nights before... (full context)

Mrs. Mirvan invites Lord Orville to stay for breakfast, and he agrees. Throughout breakfast, Evelina is further impressed by Lord... (full context)

...them at the theater. The group has seats in a box near the stage, and Lord Orville sees them and comes over to say hello. The first play is bawdy, however, and... (full context)

...unexpectedly enters their box and sits down with them. Mr. Lovel greets Sir Clement and Lord Orville , then turns to Evelina and makes a sly joke about her conduct at the... (full context)

...comments. Mr. Lovel says that he hopes the city has not affected Evelina’s health, and Lord Orville retorts that anyone can see from Evelina’s fair complexion that she is perfectly healthy. Mr.... (full context)

...for them than the show itself. Evelina notices Mrs. Mirvan seated in the pit with Lord Orville , and she’s annoyed that she is not with them. She hopes that Lord Orville... (full context)

As Evelina and Sir Clement leave the lobby, Lord Orville notices them and calls out to Evelina. Evelina tells him that she is looking for... (full context)

Once inside Sir Clement’s carriage, Evelina miserably considers what Lord Orville must think of her now that he has seen her enter a coach alone with... (full context)

...driver to drive on to Mrs. Mirvan’s house. Mrs. Mirvan rushes out to meet Evelina. Lord Orville is also with her—he was deeply concerned about Evelina’s well-being and came to Mrs. Mirvan... (full context)

...making Evelina’s journey home longer than necessary. Evelina is irritated with him and ashamed because Lord Orville has seen her in such a predicament. Lord Orville politely takes his leave and tells... (full context)

Evelina cannot sleep that night because she is so anxious about Lord Orville knowing that she was alone with Sir Clement. She worries that Lord Orville may think... (full context)

The next morning, Mrs. Mirvan tells Evelina that while they were at the opera, Lord Orville told her that he spoke to Mr. Lovel about Evelina. Lord Orville warned Mr. Lovel... (full context)

...the way through it. The group then go into the tearoom and sit down with Lord Orville , who is with a group of friends. Evelina is annoyed, however, because Sir Clement... (full context)

Evelina then notices that one of the men in Lord Orville ’s party is staring at her. She is annoyed and thinks he has bad manners—in... (full context)

...anything so long as it is fashionable, regardless of how boring or stupid it is. Lord Orville says that Captain Mirvan must have noticed the beautiful building, and the other Lord (whose... (full context)

Lord Orville replies that art and natural beauty complement each other, but Captain Mirvan scoffs and says... (full context)

...and says that plays are the only things in fashionable society that tell the truth. Lord Orville turns to Evelina and Maria and says that he would like to know what they... (full context)

Lord Orville begins to talk about Cox’s Museum but, again, Captain Mirvan breaks in and argues that... (full context)

...Merton makes an impassioned speech begging her to go. Evelina is embarrassed, and she notices Lord Orville watching with concern and Sir Clement eyeing them miserably. Captain Mirvan insists that he will... (full context)

The party then breaks up, and Captain Mirvan says that he wants to leave. Lord Orville courteously parts with Mrs. Mirvan and Evelina and says that he is sorry that they... (full context)

Before Lord Orville leaves, Sir Clement also arrives to say goodbye. Evelina is irritated because Sir Clement keeps... (full context)

Mr. Villars is also impressed with Lord Orville ’s conduct, especially when he alerted Mrs. Mirvan that Evelina had disappeared alone with Sir... (full context)

...when Evelina thinks back to her time spent in London with the Mirvans and with Lord Orville , who was so charming, refined, and considerate compared to the Branghtons and Madame Duval.... (full context)

...takes Evelina’s arm again. As they march through the crowd, Evelina is mortified to see Lord Orville , who bows to her but looks very shocked by her companion. (full context)

Mortified because Lord Orville has seen her with a prostitute, Evelina rushes away from the woman and takes Madame... (full context)

Evelina is mortified that Lord Orville saw her with the prostitutes in such an embarrassing and improper situation. Still, she is... (full context)

The next day, Evelina is shocked to receive a visit from Lord Orville . Lord Orville wants to know if Evelina knows that the two women that he... (full context)

When Lord Orville has gone, Evelina goes down to breakfast with Madame Duval. During breakfast, Madame Duval abruptly... (full context)

...them to hide in a nearby shed and, while they are in there, Evelina notices Lord Orville ’s carriage parked outside and sees that one of his coachmen is also in the... (full context)

Miss Branghton quickly tells the others, and Madame Duval suggests that they ask Lord Orville ’s coachmen to let them borrow the carriage to go home. Evelina is mortified, but... (full context)

Lord Orville ’s coachmen drop Madame Duval and Evelina off and then give the Branghtons a lift... (full context)

Tom then went to Lord Orville ’s house to apologize and, when the servants would not let him in, he said... (full context)

Evelina decides to write to Lord Orville and apologize for the Branghton’s behavior. She writes that she did not approve of their... (full context)

...was pestered by him, Tom, and Mr. Smith. When she returns, she discovers that both Lord Orville and Sir Clement visited while she was out. Monsieur Du Bois then chooses to follow... (full context)

Evelina again writes to Maria and tells her the real reason she is sad. Lord Orville has written Evelina an insulting letter, and she is deeply disappointed in him. His note... (full context)

Lord Orville ’s note makes Evelina feel bitter and depressed about the world, which she sees as... (full context)

Evelina writes back to Maria and dispels Maria’s claim that Evelina is in love with Lord Orville and misses him now that she is away from London. Evelina says that she does... (full context)

...home. Mr. Villars then asks Evelina if she misses her friends from the city—people like Lord Orville . Evelina begins to cry, and Mr. Villars says that, although he longs to know... (full context)

Evelina shows Mr. Villars the insulting letter that Lord Orville sent her, and Mr. Villars is amazed. He can only assume that Lord Orville was... (full context)

...“libertine,” but that he claims to be reformed. He is engaged to Lady Louisa Larpent, Lord Orville ’s sister, although Lord Orville dislikes him. The shopkeeper says that Lord Orville will be... (full context)

Evelina worries that, when Lord Orville sees her again, he will try to seduce her—as he attempted to do in his... (full context)

Evelina writes again to Mr. Villars and says that everything is resolved with Lord Orville . He is still as kind and polite as always, and she assumes that he... (full context)

In the garden, they bump into Lord Orville . He seems delighted to see Evelina and, although she is pleased to see him... (full context)

...asks Louisa how she is feeling, and Louisa replies that her nerves are very fragile. Lord Orville arrives next and, unlike the others, greets Evelina courteously. He even tries to formally introduce... (full context)

...they agree to have a race. Louisa makes a show of being very alarmed, and Lord Orville suggests that they make a wager over something less hazardous. After lunch, they sit in... (full context)

...bowing competition, and the men agree enthusiastically and begin to practice. When it comes to Lord Orville ’s turn to suggest something, he gravely replies that, instead of betting, they should decide... (full context)

...participated in Lord Merton and Mr. Lovel’s foolish gambling, and she says so privately to Lord Orville . Lord Orville replies kindly that it is he who should be ashamed, as he... (full context)

...Lord Merton) very rude again at Mrs. Beaumont’s, as they all continue to ignore her. Lord Orville , however, sits and talks with her for hours, while the others play cards and... (full context)

...them. Evelina is surprised by this, and Louisa makes a rude comment toward her, which Lord Orville smoothly rebuffs. Evelina continues her letter to Mr. Villars three days later and says that... (full context)

Just then, Lord Orville comes out to look for Evelina. She quickly bids Mr. Macartney farewell, but he asks... (full context)

...him and decides to write him a note instead. When she has sent the note, Lord Orville enters the room and asks her if she is now ready to explain how she... (full context)

The next morning, Evelina sneaks out to meet Mr. Macartney but immediately meets Lord Orville in the garden. Although Lord Orville seems embarrassed, Evelina does not know what to do,... (full context)

...right thing, she is inexperienced and constantly makes mistakes—she is usually guided by Mr. Villars. Lord Orville says that he wishes to help her with her dilemma, and Evelina begs him to... (full context)

...the truth from her any longer. Mr. Villars suspects that Evelina is in love with Lord Orville and fears that she will get her heart broken. He feels that it is understandable... (full context)

...Evelina feels sorry for them, as they look frail and confused. She notices, too, that Lord Orville does not laugh with the others. (full context)

Lord Orville offers to take Evelina inside; Louisa takes offense to this and is very moody about... (full context)

The next evening, Evelina, Mrs. Selwyn, Lord Orville , Louisa, Mrs. Beaumont, Lord Merton, Mr. Lovel, and Mr. Coverley attend a ball together.... (full context)

...and Evelina should go to see Sir John immediately to ask about Evelina’s inheritance claim. Lord Orville notices that Evelina is quiet for the rest of the evening but is too polite... (full context)

A few days later, Evelina walks into Bristol with Mrs. Selwyn and Lord Orville and bumps into Mr. Macartney. He is not angry with Evelina for missing their meeting... (full context)

Lord Orville asks Evelina what she wants with Macartney, and Evelina says that she is desperate to... (full context)

That evening, Lord Orville tells Evelina that Mr. Macartney will visit her the next day. When Macartney arrives, he... (full context)

...Mr. Villars’s letter in which he asks her to leave Bristol and get away from Lord Orville , whom he suspects she is in love with. Evelina now realizes that she has... (full context)

To avoid Lord Orville the next day, Evelina pretends to be ill and stays in her room. When she... (full context)

...and being introduced to Mrs. Beaumont. When they arrive at Clifton Hill, they immediately meet Lord Orville , and he and Sir Clement look surprised and unhappy to see each other. The... (full context)

After Sir Clement leaves, Lord Orville asks Evelina if he has done something to offend her, but Evelina coolly brushes him... (full context)

Lord Orville is quiet and sad for the rest of the evening. Sir Clement arrives and sits... (full context)

...her friends, and Sir Clement then begins to interrogate her about her time spent with Lord Orville . (full context)

...Clement insists on staying for supper at Clifton Hill. Evelina even cries during supper, but Lord Orville —who is also very forlorn—does not see because Sir Clement is always between them. Evelina... (full context)

Evelina writes to Mr. Villars and says that—although she wanted to break off contact with Lord Orville —she is sad that he now treats her coldly. That morning, she receives a visit... (full context)

Sir Clement joins them again at dinner and, again, constantly badgers Evelina. Lord Orville ignores her and does not intervene. Evelina regrets her decision to break off contact with... (full context)

...up to leave, but Sir Clement seizes her hand and begs her to forgive him. Lord Orville , who is passing, approaches and warns Sir Clement to let Evelina go. Sir Clement... (full context)

...is shocked to see Evelina’s agitated condition. Evelina tells Mrs. Selwyn about the confrontation between Lord Orville and Sir Clement in the garden, and Mrs. Selwyn hurries outside. She returns and tells... (full context)

Sir Clement told Lord Orville that he plans to pursue Evelina until she falls in love with him. Lord Orville... (full context)

Lord Orville asked Sir Clement if he planned to marry Evelina, and Sir Clement replied that he... (full context)

...again to Mr. Villars and tells him that she will soon leave Bristol. That morning, Lord Orville meets her before breakfast and asks her for a private word. He begs to know... (full context)

...her permission to meet her estranged father, Sir John, in London. She is nervous, so Lord Orville tries his best to cheer her up. He is distressed when he hears that Evelina... (full context)

Evelina and Lord Orville sit together and talk until Mrs. Selwyn finds them. Mrs. Selwyn immediately understands that Lord... (full context)

Lord Orville asks if he can write to Evelina when she travels to London, and Evelina says... (full context)

The next morning, Evelina plans to meet Lord Orville in the garden to show him the flirtatious note that he says he did not... (full context)

...Evelina guesses that Sir Clement wrote the insulting letter himself and pretended it was from Lord Orville . She feels sorry for Sir Clement because he was so distressed, but she does... (full context)

Lord Orville enters the room and tells Evelina that Mrs. Selwyn’s carriage is waiting to take Evelina... (full context)

Lord Orville follows Evelina to her room and begs her to confide in him. Evelina cannot explain,... (full context)

...is his daughter. Evelina is anxious about this but reluctantly agrees. After dinner, she and Lord Orville walk in the garden, and Lord Orville asks Evelina if she thinks Mr. Villars will... (full context)

...Belmont will marry Mr. Macartney, whom Sir John has reconciled with, and Evelina will marry Lord Orville , who has spoken to Sir John and received his blessing. (full context)

...give Evelina a portion of her inheritance, and she will immediately go to live at Lord Orville ’s estate. Although Miss Belmont’s real identity will never be publicly exposed—she will now take... (full context)

...distressed by this and wishes to assure him she does not. That evening, she and Lord Orville discuss their marriage arrangements. Evelina does not want to marry without Mr. Villars’s blessing, so... (full context)

...them. Evelina has noticed that they treat her differently now that she is engaged to Lord Orville and try to spend more time with her. Evelina tries to treat them coldly as... (full context)

Lord Orville tells Evelina that she may visit Sir John that evening, which makes Evelina extremely nervous.... (full context)

...his blessing and sends her out of the room. Outside, in the hallway, Evelina finds Lord Orville and Mr. Macartney waiting for her. Lord Orville comforts her, and Mr. Macartney tells her... (full context)

...day, Evelina receives a letter from Sir Clement. He has heard about her engagement to Lord Orville and admits that he wrote the insulting letter to Evelina, which he signed with Lord... (full context)

The next day, Evelina and Lord Orville go out for a drive to Bath with Louisa, Lord Merton, Mr. Lovel, and Mrs.... (full context)

...plays cards. Evelina receives her letter from Mr. Villars, which gives her permission to marry Lord Orville . She is very touched by Mr. Villars’s kind words and grateful to have him... (full context)

...Sir John’s heir, Caroline’s name has been cleared, and Evelina will marry her true love, Lord Orville . He joyfully gives his consent to the wedding and will live out his remaining... (full context)

Evelina writes to Mr. Villars and tells him that she has married Lord Orville . She is blissfully happy and can only write a quick note, as their carriage... (full context)

Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World

Lord Orville Character Analysis

Lord Orville Quotes in Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World

Volume 1, Letter 18 Quotes

Volume 2, Letter 27 Quotes

Volume 2, Letter 28 Quotes

Volume 3, Letter 5 Quotes

Volume 3, Letter 20 Quotes

Volume 3, Letter 22 Quotes

Lord Orville Character Timeline in Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World