Character guide

Maud Ruthyn

major

Also known as Miss Maud, Maud, little Maud, dear Maud, Miss Ruthyn, Maud Aylmer Ruthyn, Maud—I, Maud—you, Cousin Maud, Dearest Maud, Mademoiselle Maud

The young narrator and heiress of Knowl, sent to live with her mysterious Uncle Silas.

Uncle Silas

major

Also known as Silas, Mr. Ruthyn, Mr. Silas Ruthyn, Silas Ruthyn, Silas Aylmer Ruthyn, Monsieur Ruthyn, Uncle Silas Meet Cousin Monica

Maud's enigmatic and sinister uncle, guardian of Bartram-Haugh with a dark past.

Madame de la Rougierre

major

Also known as Madame, Madame de la Rougepot, old Madame, Poor Madame, de la Rougierre, Mademoiselle, Mademoiselle Blassemare, Mademoiselle de Blassemare

Maud's sinister French governess, who harbors secret motives and a threatening presence.

Lady Knollys

major

Also known as Cousin Monica, Monica, Cousin Monica Knollys, Knollys, Monica Knollys, old Monica Knollys, Aunt Monica, IX Monica Knollys, X Lady Knollys, XI Lady Knollys, miladi Knollys, Miss Knollys

Maud's spirited and protective cousin, who warns her against Uncle Silas.

Dudley Ruthyn

major

Also known as Dud, Mr. Ruthyn, Dudley, Mr. Dudley Ruthyn, Dudley Ruthyn, Ruthyn, Mr. Dudley R. Ruthyn, Master Dudley, Mr. Dudley

Uncle Silas's coarse and menacing son, who takes a predatory interest in Maud.

Doctor Bryerly

supporting

Also known as Bryerly, Doctor, Dr. Bryerly, a Doctor Bryerly, II Doctor Bryerly, XII Doctor Bryerly, a Mr. Bryerly, Mr. Bryerly, this Mr. Bryerly, Hans E. Bryerly, Doctor Bryerly Doctor Bryerly

A Swedenborgian physician and trusted friend of the Ruthyn family, who aids Maud.

Milly Ruthyn

supporting

Also known as Milicent, Milly, Poor Milly, poor Milly, wicked Milly, Miss Milly, So Milly, Miss Ruthyn, odious Milly, XV Milly, Miss Millicent, Cousin Milly, Millicent, Meess Millicent, Poor Milly's

Uncle Silas's simple-hearted and affectionate daughter, Maud's cousin and friend.

Mary Quince

supporting

Also known as Mary, honest Mary Quince, Quince, Good Mary Quince, honest Mary, Polly, poor Quince, good old Mary Quince, Honest Mary, honest Quince, Mary Queence

Maud's loyal and devoted old maid, who accompanies her to Bartram-Haugh.

Austin Ruthyn

supporting

Also known as Austin, poor Austin, the late Mr. Austin Ruthyn of Knowl, Mr. Ruthyn, The late Mr. Ruthyn, Knowl, poor dear Austin, dear Knowl, Poor dear Austin, Mr. Austin Ruthyn, beloved old Knowl, papa, Papa

Maud's beloved father, whose death sets the plot in motion.

Tom Brice

supporting

Also known as Tom, Brice

A servant at Bartram-Haugh who becomes involved in the household's dark schemes.

Mrs. Rusk

supporting

Also known as good old Mrs. Rusk, honest Mrs. Rusk, good Mrs. Rusk, Good Mrs. Rusk, XIX Au Revoir Mrs. Rusk, Rusk, Mrs. Rusk

The housekeeper at Knowl, loyal to Maud and the Ruthyn family.

Captain Oakley

supporting

Also known as The charming Captain, Oakley, the Captain

A dashing military man who courts Milly and causes romantic complications.

Maggie Hawkes

supporting

Also known as Lady Margaret, Meg, Meg Hawkes, Hawkes, Beauty—Meg Hawkes, old Hawkes

A local woman with a connection to the Hawkes family and Bartram's secrets.

Mr. Charke

supporting

Also known as wretched Mr. Charke, that Mr. Charke, this wretched Mr. Charke, Charke, poor Mr. Charke

A disreputable man whose suicide is linked to Uncle Silas's past.

Dickon Hawkes

supporting

Also known as Dirty old Hawkes, Hawkes, Dickon, Pegtop Dickon, Pegtop, old Pegtop, Dickon Hawkes—Pegtop, Old Pegtop

A rough, peg-legged local man who works for Uncle Silas and knows his secrets.

Lord Ilbury

supporting

Also known as Ilbury

A nobleman who becomes a potential suitor and ally for Maud.

Old Lucy Wyat

supporting

Also known as old Wyat, Wyat, Old Wyat, sour old Wyat, Neither old Wyat, Dame Wyat, old Wyat—she

A bitter old woman at Bartram-Haugh who harbors resentment and secrets.

Charles Oakley

minor

Also known as Charlie, Charles, Charles Oakley, Poor Charlie

Captain Oakley's younger brother, who is infatuated with Maud.

Mr. Danvers

minor

Also known as Danvers

A lawyer involved in the Ruthyn family's legal affairs.

Doctor Jolks

minor

Also known as Jolks, Mrs. Jolks, Good Mrs. Jolks, young Jolks

A local doctor and his family who attend to the Bartram household.

Mr. Carysbroke

minor

Also known as Carysbroke, This Mr. Carysbroke, Lady Mary, Mary, Lady Mary Carysbroke, this Lady Mary

A gentleman with a romantic history involving Lady Mary.

Abel Grimston

minor

Also known as Grimston, Mr. Grimston

A local man who assists in the search for Mr. Charke's remains.

Old Crowle

minor

Also known as Mr. Crowle, Crowle

A sinister figure associated with the darker side of Bartram-Haugh.

Branston

minor

Also known as fat Branston, Mr. Branston

A local tradesman or farmer who appears in the narrative.

Doctor Clay

minor

Also known as Dr. Clay, good Dr. Clay

A physician consulted during the story's medical emergencies.

Anne Wixted

minor

Also known as Anne, Even Anne Wixted

A servant at Knowl who is briefly allied with Madame de la Rougierre.

Mr. Sleigh

minor

Also known as Sleigh, Archer, Archer and Sleigh

A lawyer or agent involved in the Ruthyn estate matters.

Thomas Swain

minor

Also known as Tom

A servant or local man who appears in the Bartram household.

Giblets

minor

Also known as old Giblets, poor Giblets, little Giblets

A pet or animal mentioned in the household.

Sarah Matilda

minor

Also known as XVI Sarah Matilda, Mrs. Sarah Matilda

A mysterious woman whose identity is revealed later in the story.

Dykes

minor

A local man who assists in the search for Mr. Charke.

L'Amour

minor

Also known as old L'Amour, Old L'Amour

A Frenchman or servant with a minor role at Bartram-Haugh.

Catherine Jones

minor

Also known as Catherine

A servant or local woman mentioned in passing.

Winny

minor

A servant at Bartram-Haugh who assists in the household.

Bill

minor

A minor servant or local figure.

Monnie

minor

Also known as poor Monnie

A minor character, possibly a servant or local.

Lord Lollipop

minor

Also known as Lollipop, Lolly

A humorous or satirical name used in conversation.

Mother Hubbard

minor

A nursery-rhyme reference used as a nickname.

Cormoran

minor

A name mentioned in a story or allusion.

Zamiel

minor

A name associated with a legend or story within the book.

Old Chaulieu

minor

Also known as Chaulieu

A Frenchman mentioned in connection with Madame de la Rougierre.

Feltram

minor

A name mentioned in a literary or historical allusion.

James Jolliter

minor

Also known as James, Jim Jolliter

A minor servant or local figure.

Georgina Fanshawe

minor

A name mentioned in passing as an acquaintance.

Old Giles

minor

Also known as Giles

A servant at Knowl or Bartram-Haugh.

Boots

minor

A servant or nickname for a hotel employee.