Belinda Summary
Maria Edgeworth

Belinda Summary

Belinda is an English Society Novel written by Maria Edgeworth at the turn of the eighteenth to the nineteenth century, published in 1801. It tells the story of Belinda Portman, who has been sent by her match-making aunt to stay with Lady Delacour, in the hopes of finding a good husband. Belinda helps Lady Delacour to reform her ways, giving up a life of unrespectable behavior and frivolity for domesticity and happiness. Along the way, Belinda falls in love with Clarence Hervey, makes new friends and enemies, is courted by Augustus Vincent, and eventually ends happily married to Mr. Hervey.

When Belinda is sent by her aunt, Mrs. Stanhope, to stay with Lady Delacour, she soon realizes that Lady Delacour is not a good role model for a young woman. Lady Delacour is concerned only with popularity and the admiration of London's high society. She pretends to be bright and... View more of the Belinda Summary