Character guide

Geoffrey Delamayn

major

Also known as Mr. Delamayn, Mr. Geoffrey Delamayn, The Honorable Geoffrey

A selfish athlete and gentleman, central to the marriage plot and scandal.

Anne Silvester

major

Also known as Miss Anne Silvester, Miss Silvester, Anne

A governess whose secret marriage drives much of the novel's conflict.

Sir Patrick Lundie

major

Also known as Lundie, Patrick, Sir Patrick

A wise, witty Scottish lawyer who advises the main characters.

Arnold Brinkworth

major

Also known as Mr. Arnold Brinkworth, Mr. Brinkworth, Brinkworth

A young gentleman entangled in a secret marriage and its consequences.

Blanche Lundie

major

Also known as little Blanche, Miss Blanche, Blanche

Sir Patrick's niece, a spirited young woman in love with Arnold.

Lady Lundie

supporting

Also known as Dear Lady Lundie

Sir Patrick's sister-in-law, a strict and conventional widow.

Hester Dethridge

supporting

Also known as Dethridge

A mysterious mute servant with a tragic past.

Julius Delamayn

supporting

Also known as Mr. Julius Delamayn, Julius

Geoffrey's younger brother, a kind and scholarly man.

Mr. Bishopriggs

supporting

Also known as Bishopriggs, Sawmuel Bishopriggs

A sly, comic innkeeper who becomes involved in the plot.

Mrs. Glenarm

supporting

A wealthy widow courted by Geoffrey for her money.

Mr. Vanborough

supporting

Also known as Vanborough

Anne's father, a diplomat with a scandalous past.

Lady Jane Parnell

minor

Also known as Lady Jane

A gossipy society lady who spreads rumors.

Mr. Kendrew

minor

A lawyer consulted by the characters.

Mr. Perry

minor

Geoffrey's trainer and confidant.

Mrs. Vanborough

minor

Anne's mother, a quiet and suffering woman.

Lady Holchester

minor

Also known as the Dowager Lady Holchester

Geoffrey and Julius's mother, a dignified matriarch.

Mr. Moy

minor

A solicitor involved in legal matters.

Mr. Speedwell

minor

A doctor attending to characters' health.

Mrs. Karnegie

minor

The landlady of the inn where Anne stays.

Lord Holchester

minor

Also known as the new Lord Holchester

Geoffrey and Julius's father, a peer.

Mr. Crum

minor

A lawyer in Glasgow handling Anne's case.

Duncan

minor

Also known as the faithful Duncan

Sir Patrick's loyal servant.

Mr. Karnegie

minor

The innkeeper, husband to Mrs. Karnegie.

Sir Thomas Lundie

minor

Also known as Thomas, poor Sir Thomas, Tom

Blanche's deceased father, mentioned in backstory.

Fleetwood

minor

A servant at Windygates.

Reuben Limbrick

minor

A brutal man connected to Hester Dethridge's past.

Craig Fernie

minor

Also known as Craig, Fernie

A location name personified in dialogue.

Hopkins

minor

A servant at Windygates.

Mr. Bapchild

minor

Also known as good Mr. Bapchild

A minor gentleman acquaintance.

Mr. Camp

minor

A lawyer involved in the legal proceedings.

Mistress Inchbare

minor

The housekeeper at Windygates.

Mr. Marchwood

minor

Also known as Mr. Marchwood of Hurlbeck

A neighbor and friend of the Lundies.

Captain Newenden

minor

A military man and acquaintance.

Mrs. Dethridge

minor

Hester Dethridge's mother-in-law, mentioned in backstory.

Miss Lundie

minor

Also known as Miss Lundie of Windygates

Sir Patrick's sister, briefly mentioned.

Crouch

minor

Also known as the great and terrible Crouch

A servant at Holchester House.

Mrs. Graham

minor

A minor character mentioned in passing.

Joel Dethridge

minor

Hester Dethridge's husband, a cruel man.

Dowager Lady Lundie

minor

Also known as the new Lady Lundie

Sir Thomas's widow, a minor figure.

Mrs. Silvester

minor

Anne's mother, deceased before the story.

Jaffray Delamayn

minor

An ancestor of Geoffrey, mentioned in family history.

Mrs. Geoffrey Delamayn

minor

Geoffrey's wife, mentioned late in the story.

Mr. Murdoch

minor

A doctor consulted briefly.

Miss Karnegie

minor

The Karnegies' daughter, briefly mentioned.

Janet

minor

A maid at Windygates.

Mrs. Camp

minor

Mr. Camp's wife, briefly mentioned.

Thomas Pennyquick

minor

A lawyer's clerk.