Character guide

Katharine Hilbery

major

Also known as Katharine, Miss Hilbery, Miss Katharine Hilbery, Kit, Hilbery

The central female protagonist, a thoughtful young woman torn between duty and desire.

Ralph Denham

major

Also known as Denham, Ralph, the Denham

A passionate lawyer and aspiring writer who becomes deeply involved with Katharine.

Mary Datchet

major

Also known as Miss Mary Datchet, Mary, Miss Datchet, Mary Datchet

A dedicated suffragist and friend to both Katharine and Ralph, with her own quiet strength.

William Rodney

major

Also known as Rodney, William

A conventional poet and Katharine's fiancé, struggling with his feelings for Cassandra.

Cassandra Otway

supporting

Also known as Cassandra, Otway

A lively young cousin of Katharine who becomes entangled with William Rodney.

Mrs. Hilbery

supporting

Also known as Heaven Mrs. Hilbery, Hastily Mrs. Hilbery

Katharine's eccentric, romantic mother, absorbed in writing a biography of her poet father.

Mr. Hilbery

supporting

Also known as a Mr. Hilbery

Katharine's gentle, scholarly father, a retired editor.

Mrs. Milvain

minor

A friend of the Hilberys who hosts social gatherings.

Mr. Clacton

minor

Also known as XIV Mr. Clacton

A colleague of Mary Datchet in the suffrage office.

Mrs. Seal

minor

A passionate suffragist who works with Mary Datchet.

Joan

minor

Also known as Old Joan

An elderly servant in the Hilbery household.

Lady Otway

minor

Also known as Otway

Cassandra's mother, a country gentlewoman.

Mr. Basnett

minor

A colleague in the suffrage movement.

Henry Otway

minor

Also known as Henry, Otway

Cassandra's brother, a young man studying law.

Harry Sandys

minor

Also known as Sandys, Harold, Henry, Henry urbanely

A friend of Ralph Denham, a journalist.

Cyril Alardyce

minor

Also known as Cyril

A young relative of the Hilberys, a poet who dies young.

Celia

minor

Also known as Aunt Celia, Aunt Celia a Hilbery

Katharine's aunt, a Hilbery family member.

Sir Francis

minor

Also known as Frank, Francis

A family friend of the Hilberys, a retired military man.

Elizabeth

minor

A servant in the Hilbery household.

Mrs. Cosham

minor

An elderly friend of the Hilberys.

Mr. Peyton

minor

Also known as little Mr. Peyton, Peyton

A friend of William Rodney, a minor literary figure.

Kit Markham

minor

Also known as Christopher, Katharine

A young woman who is a friend of the Hilberys.

Eleanor

minor

Also known as Aunt Eleanor

An aunt of the Hilbery family.

Sally Seal

minor

Also known as Sally

A relative of Mrs. Seal, involved in suffrage work.

Rev. Wyndham Datchet

minor

Also known as the Rev. Wyndham Datchet, the Reverend Wyndham Datchet

Mary Datchet's father, a country clergyman.

Mr. Fortescue

minor

Also known as dear Mr. Fortescue

A friend of the Hilberys, a literary man.

Augustus Pelham

minor

Also known as little Augustus Pelham, Mr. Pelham, Pelham, Augustus Pelham, Mr. Augustus Pelham

A young man who is a friend of the Hilberys.

Charles Lavington

minor

Also known as Charles, poor old Charles

A friend of Ralph Denham, a clerk.

Trevor

minor

Also known as Uncle Trevor

An uncle of the Hilbery family.

Mrs. Denham

minor

Also known as Even Mrs. Denham

Ralph Denham's mother, a widow living in the country.

Maggie

minor

Also known as poor dear Maggie, Aunt Maggie

An aunt of the Hilbery family.

Cousin Caroline

minor

A cousin of the Hilberys.

Mr. Datchet

minor

Also known as old Mr. Datchet

Mary Datchet's father, a clergyman.

Edward

minor

A servant in the Hilbery household.

Richard Alardyce

minor

Also known as Alardyce, a Richard Alardyce, Richard, the poet Alardyce

The famous poet, Mrs. Hilbery's father, deceased before the story.

Johnnie

minor

A young man, possibly a servant or acquaintance.

Uncle John

minor

Also known as John, Poor John

An uncle of the Hilbery family.

Uncle James

minor

Also known as James

An uncle of the Hilbery family.

Miss Markham

minor

A friend of the Hilberys, possibly Kit's mother.

Anderson

minor

A servant in the Hilbery household.

Mrs. Vermont Bankes

minor

Also known as Mrs. Bankes

A friend of the Hilberys, a society woman.

Hester

minor

A servant in the Hilbery household.

Mrs. Sutton Bailey

minor

A friend of the Hilberys, mentioned in passing.

Queenie Colquhoun

minor

A young woman mentioned in conversation.

Mr. Popham

minor

A colleague of Ralph Denham at the law office.

Aunt Millicent

minor

An aunt of the Hilbery family.

Mrs. Alardyce

minor

The widow of the poet Richard Alardyce.

Uncle Aubrey

minor

An uncle of the Hilbery family.

Judson

minor

A servant in the Hilbery household.