Character that features in epistolary novel (6)

I believe the answer is:

letter

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'character' is the definition.
(I know that letter is a type of character)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for letter that I've seen before include "Written message" , "Alphabetic symbol" , "Character; missive" , "Form of correspondence" , "Epistle, missive" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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