The novel that tells the story of a young and innocent girl named Evelina, who is introduced to high society in London. Evelina is the illegitimate daughter of a nobleman, and her upbringing was far from privileged. She is raised by a kind and loving clergyman, and when she comes of age, she is sent to London to stay with her wealthy grandmother. Evelina is not used to the customs and expectations of high society and is often bewildered by the complex rules of behavior and etiquette. She meets a range of characters, both kind and cruel, including her charming but unreliable father, the lecherous Sir Clement Willoughby, and the handsome and honorable Lord Orville. As Evelina navigates the social scene and tries to learn the rules of conduct, she discovers the cruelty and hypocrisy of the society she has entered.