Character guide

Hugh Stanbury

major

Also known as Mr. Hugh Stanbury, Stanbury, Mr. Stanbury, poor Hugh, young Stanbury

A journalist and the romantic lead, torn between family loyalty and his love for Nora Rowley.

Nora Rowley

major

Also known as Miss Rowley, Nora, Miss Nora Rowley, dear little Nora

The younger Rowley daughter, whose romance with Hugh Stanbury drives much of the plot.

Dorothy Stanbury

major

Also known as Miss Stanbury, Dorothy, Miss Dorothy, Dorothy Makes, Miss Dorothy Stanbury

A gentle niece of Miss Jemima Stanbury, who becomes a central figure in the Exeter storyline.

Louis Trevelyan

major

Also known as Trevelyan, young Trevelyan, Louis, Poor Louis, Poor dear Louis

A jealous husband whose unfounded suspicions destroy his marriage and lead to tragedy.

Emily Trevelyan

major

Also known as Mrs. Trevelyan, Emily, Dear Emily, Poor Emily Trevelyan

Louis's wife, who suffers from his obsessive jealousy while trying to maintain her dignity.

Miss Jemima Stanbury

major

Also known as old Miss Stanbury, Miss Stanbury, Jemima Stanbury, Jemima, dear Jemima, old Jemima

A wealthy, domineering Exeter spinster who controls her nieces' lives.

Sir Marmaduke Rowley

supporting

Also known as Sir Marmaduke, Sir Rowley, Marmaduke, excellent old Sir Marmaduke

Nora and Emily's father, a retired colonial governor with financial troubles.

Lady Rowley

supporting

Also known as Poor Lady Rowley, Rowley, poor Lady Rowley

Nora and Emily's mother, who tries to mediate between her daughters and their suitors.

Colonel Osborne

supporting

Also known as Osborne, Nuncombe Putney, Our Colonel, The Colonel, horrid Colonel

A manipulative older man whose flirtation with Emily triggers Trevelyan's jealousy.

Brooke Burgess

supporting

Also known as Mr. Brooke Burgess, Mr. Burgess, Brooke, Burgess, this Brooke Burgess

A young banker who becomes Dorothy Stanbury's suitor and Miss Stanbury's heir.

Mr. Glascock

supporting

Also known as Republican, poor Mr. Glascock, Glascock, the Honourable Glascock, the Republican Browning

An American diplomat who courts Nora Rowley and later Caroline Spalding.

Priscilla Stanbury

supporting

Also known as Miss Priscilla Stanbury, Priscilla, Miss Stanbury, poor Priscilla Stanbury

Dorothy's sensible, self-sacrificing sister who lives at Nuncombe Putney.

Camilla French

supporting

Also known as Miss French, Camilla, Miss Camilla, Miss Camilla French, Cammy, the French

A scheming young woman who pursues Mr. Gibson for his money.

Mr. Gibson

supporting

Also known as Poor Mr. Gibson, poor Mr. Gibson, Gibson

A vacillating Exeter clergyman caught between two women.

Arabella French

supporting

Also known as Arabella, Bella, Poor Bella, the unfortunate Arabella, Bella French

Camilla's sister, who also schemes to marry Mr. Gibson.

Caroline Spalding

supporting

Also known as Carry, Carry Spalding, Poor Caroline, Miss Spalding

An American woman who eventually marries Mr. Glascock.

Lady Milborough

supporting

Also known as Old Lady Milborough, old Lady Milborough, dear Lady Milborough, Milborough

An elderly friend of the Rowleys who tries to advise Emily.

Mr. Bozzle

supporting

Also known as Bozzle, this Bozzle, Samuel Bozzle, Mr. Samuel Bozzle

A former policeman hired by Trevelyan to spy on Emily.

Mr. Outhouse

supporting

Also known as To Mr. Outhouse, Outhouse

Emily's uncle, a clergyman who shelters her during the separation.

Mrs. Outhouse

minor

Mr. Outhouse's wife, who reluctantly hosts Emily Trevelyan.

Bartholomew Burgess

supporting

Also known as old Mr. Burgess, Mr. Bartholomew Burgess, Barty, Barty Burgess, old Barty

An elderly Exeter banker and Miss Stanbury's former suitor.

Miss Wallachia Petrie

minor

Also known as Miss Petrie, Wallachia, Wallachia Petrie, poor Wallachia Petrie, the divine Wallachia

An eccentric American feminist who travels with the Spaldings.

Mrs. French

minor

Also known as Even Mrs. French, Whereupon Mrs. French

Mother of Camilla and Arabella, who schemes for their marriages.

Mrs. Spalding

minor

Also known as Poor Mrs. Spalding

Caroline's mother, an American lady traveling in Europe.

Olivia Spalding

minor

Also known as Miss Spalding, Olivia, Miss Olivia Spalding, Livy, Livy Spalding

Caroline's sister, who also travels with the family.

Dolly Stanbury

minor

Also known as Dolly, dear Dolly, Dolly Stanbury, dear old Dolly

An elderly friend of Miss Stanbury in Exeter.

Mrs. MacHugh

minor

Also known as old Mrs. MacHugh

An elderly Exeter lady and friend of Miss Stanbury.

Mrs. Bozzle

minor

Also known as Bozzle

Mr. Bozzle's wife, who assists in his detective work.

Lord Peterborough

minor

Also known as Monkhams, the Monkhams, old Lord Peterborough, Peterborough

An elderly peer whose title eventually passes to Mr. Glascock.

Mr. Bideawhile

minor

Also known as Old Mr. Bideawhile, old Mr. Bideawhile

The family solicitor for the Stanburys and Trevelyans.

Sir Peter Mancrudy

minor

Also known as Sir Peter

A friend of Sir Marmaduke who helps him with financial matters.

Lady Peterborough

minor

Also known as a Lady Peterborough, the future Lady Peterborough, old Lady Peterborough

Lord Peterborough's wife, who appears at Monkhams.

Mrs. Clifford

minor

A friend of the Rowleys who appears at social gatherings.

Charles Glascock

minor

Also known as the Honourable Charles Glascock, Mrs. Glascock, Charles

Mr. Glascock's brother, who inherits the title.

Giles Hickbody

minor

Also known as Giles

Miss Stanbury's servant in Exeter.

Mrs. Crumbie

minor

Also known as Mr. and Mrs. Crumbie, Mr. Crumbie

A couple who are friends of the Stanburys in Exeter.

Mr. Crump

minor

Also known as the Crump, Mr. Gibson;—taking Mr. Crump

A clergyman who competes with Mr. Gibson for a living.

Mr. Julius Cropper

minor

Also known as Cropper, Mr. Cropper

A business associate of Brooke Burgess in the banking firm.

Mrs. Powel

minor

A friend of the Rowleys who appears in London society.

Mr. Jennings

minor

Also known as Jennings

A lawyer consulted by the Trevelyans during their separation.

Mrs. Fuller

minor

Also known as Whereupon Mrs. Fuller

A friend of the Outhouses who appears in their social circle.

Major Magruder

minor

A military friend of Sir Marmaduke who helps with his affairs.

Mr. Martin

minor

Also known as Martin

A friend of Hugh Stanbury in London.

Mrs. Ellison

minor

Also known as Mrs. Ellison of Lessboro, the Lessboro

A friend of the Rowleys who appears in the London social scene.

Mr. Gore

minor

Also known as Mr. H. H. G. Gore

A colleague of Hugh Stanbury at the newspaper.

Mrs. Fairfax

minor

Also known as a Mrs. Fairfax

A friend of the Rowleys who appears in society.

Augustus Poole

minor

Also known as Poole

A friend of Hugh Stanbury in London.

Jane Marriott

minor

Also known as Jane

A friend of Nora Rowley who appears in the London social circle.

Mrs. Merton

minor

A friend of the Rowleys who appears at social events.

Lord Cantrip

minor

A politician who employs Hugh Stanbury as a correspondent.

Mrs. Crutch

minor

A friend of Miss Stanbury in Exeter.

Mrs. Clegg

minor

A friend of Miss Stanbury in Exeter.

Dr. Turbury

minor

Also known as Dr. Trite Turbury

A doctor who attends to Trevelyan during his illness.

Dr. Nevill

minor

A doctor who treats Trevelyan in England.

Harry Burgess

minor

Also known as the Rev. Harry Burgess

A clergyman and relative of the Burgess family.

Dr. Ball

minor

Also known as old Dr. Ball

A doctor in Exeter who attends to Miss Stanbury.

Rev. Oliphant Outhouse

minor

Also known as Oliphant, Oliphant Outhouse

Mr. Outhouse's brother, also a clergyman.

Frederic Osborne

minor

Also known as Fred Osborne

Colonel Osborne's son, briefly mentioned.

Count Buonarosci

minor

Also known as Buonarosci

An Italian acquaintance of the Trevelyans in Siena.

Mrs. Peacock

minor

A friend of the Rowleys who appears in London society.

Mr. Soames

minor

Also known as the late Mr. Soames

A deceased friend of Miss Stanbury mentioned in her will.

Lady Banbury

minor

A friend of the Rowleys who appears in London society.

Lord Bowles

minor

Also known as Bowles

A politician mentioned in connection with Hugh Stanbury's work.

Uncle Jonas

minor

An uncle of the Stanbury sisters, mentioned in passing.

Uncle Oliphant

minor

Also known as Oliphant

An uncle of the Outhouse family, mentioned briefly.

Martha

minor

A servant in the Trevelyan household.

Louey

minor

The young son of Louis and Emily Trevelyan.

Wally

minor

Also known as Poor Wally, Poor dear Wally

A friend of the Rowley family, possibly a suitor of Nora.

Lucy and Sophy

minor

Also known as Lucy, Sophie, Poor Sophie

Two young friends of the Rowley sisters.

Richard

minor

A servant in the Trevelyan household.

Miss Sophia

minor

Also known as Sophy, Sophia

A friend of the French sisters in Exeter.

Florence

minor

A friend of Nora Rowley mentioned in the London social circle.

George Glascock

minor

Also known as the Honourable George Glascock

Mr. Glascock's younger brother, who inherits the title.

Mary

minor

Also known as Aunt Mary, Maryanne

A servant or relative of the Stanbury family.

May

minor

Also known as Molly

A friend of the Rowley sisters.

Poulter

minor

A servant or tradesman mentioned in the Exeter storyline.

Gregg

minor

A friend of Colonel Osborne mentioned in passing.

Jones

minor

A generic name used for a servant or minor character.

Mr. Thomas

minor

Also known as Thomas

A friend of Hugh Stanbury in London.

Thomas Gibson

minor

A relative of Mr. Gibson mentioned in the Exeter storyline.

Mr. Trewillian

minor

Also known as Trewillian

A friend of the Trevelyans who appears in the London social scene.