# George Bevan — A Damsel in Distress character guide > George Bevan in A Damsel in Distress by P. G. Wodehouse. **Role:** major **Also known as:** George, Mr. Bevan, Bevan **First appearance:** 0001-a-damsel-in-distress ## Snapshot An American composer whose music wins London but whose heart is captured by a runaway aristocrat he meets by accident. ## Who they are George Bevan finds himself tangled in the Marsh family's schemes when he falls for Maud, who has fled Belpher Castle to escape an arranged marriage. His easy competence and quiet decency make him both a refuge for Maud and a baffling outsider to the British aristocracy. He anchors the novel's central romance, his pursuit of Maud driving the comic complications that ensnare everyone from butlers to earls. ## Relationships ### [Lord Marshmoreton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters/lord_marshmoreton) _social_ George interacts with Lord Marshmoreton as a guest and later as a suitor to his daughter, with a mix of deference and tension. ### [Reggie Byng](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters/reggie_byng) _friendship_ George and Reggie become friendly allies, with Reggie often assisting George in his romantic schemes. ### [Billie Dore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters/billie_dore) _romantic_ Billie Dore is a former romantic interest of George, creating a subplot of past attachment and jealousy. ### [Albert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters/albert) _professional_ Albert serves as a helpful servant to George, often assisting him in his plans. ### [Mr. Plummer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters/mr_plummer) _professional_ Mr. Plummer is George's business associate or employer, with a professional and somewhat adversarial dynamic. ### [Keggs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters/keggs) _professional_ George and Keggs interact as guest and butler, with Keggs sometimes aiding or obstructing George's plans. ### [Mac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters/mac) _friendship_ Mac is a friend or ally of George, providing assistance and companionship during his stay. ### [Billie Dore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters/billie_dore) _romantic_ Billie Dore is a former romantic interest of George, creating a subplot of past attachment and jealousy. ### [Reggie Byng](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters/reggie_byng) _friendship_ George and Reggie become friendly allies, with Reggie often assisting George in his romantic schemes. ### [Reggie Byng](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters/reggie_byng) _friendship_ George and Reggie become friendly allies, with Reggie often assisting George in his romantic schemes. ### [Albert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters/albert) _professional_ Albert serves as a helpful servant to George, often assisting him in his plans. ### [Lord Marshmoreton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters/lord_marshmoreton) _social_ George interacts with Lord Marshmoreton as a guest and later as a suitor to his daughter, with a mix of deference and tension. ## In the story ### [A Damsel in Distress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/a-damsel-in-distress) The American who becomes entangled in Maud's plight, representing a challenge to British aristocratic norms. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/ii) Feeling blasé and disillusioned despite his success; encounters a mysterious girl in brown. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/iii) Hides the young woman in his taxi, cleverly evades the pursuer, and feels a surge of romantic adventure. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/iv) George assists the young woman, confronts Percy, and handles the police with tact. He offers to lend her money for a train ticket. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/v) Awakens feeling in love for the first time, reflects on his past with women in musical theatre, and receives a letter from Maud. Later, he reads a newspaper item about Lord Belpher and decides to travel to Belpher. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/vii) Rents a cottage near Belpher Castle and encounters Maud on the road. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/viii) George writes duplicate notes for Maud and bribes the gardener and page boy to deliver them. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/x) Plays golf at the local links, meets Reggie Byng, learns that Maud is in love with him, and receives a note from her. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/xi) George agrees to Albert's plan to pose as a waiter to meet Lady Maud. ### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/xii) Working as a waiter in the gallery during the ball, he avoids recognition by Reggie Byng and waits for Maud. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/xiii) George is overwhelmed by Maud's beauty and struggles to speak. He hides on the balcony to avoid discovery and later escapes via a knotted sheet provided by Albert. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/xiv) George tries to escape the ball but is stopped by Lord Belpher; he lies about being Albert's cousin from America. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/xv) Maud intends to see George to establish communication with Geoffrey, but the plan is interrupted. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/xvi) Receives a letter from Billie Dore and is visited by Lord Marshmoreton, whom he initially mistakes for a gardener. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/xviii) George receives Keggs' offer and later waits in the barn for Maud, experiencing depression and then exhilaration upon her arrival. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/xix) George is devastated and angry after realizing Maud does not love him, but he resolves to help her as a friend. ### [Reggie's Wedding Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/xx) Despondent about his own romantic troubles, George listens to Reggie's news and agrees to serve as best man, masking his personal pain. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/xxi) Attends the wedding lunch; feels melancholy watching the happy couple and advises Reggie on breaking the news. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/xxii) Referenced as the recipient of the dinner invitation; he had a meeting with Maud arranged by Keggs. ### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/xxiii) Dines at Belpher Castle, opposite Maud; learns about local gossip and family dynamics; recognizes Billie Dore. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/xxiv) George tries to comfort Maud and rationally discuss their predicament, insisting she follow her heart to Geoffrey. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/xxvii) Packing for America, sunk in gloom, then elated after Maud's call. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters/george_bevan - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/characters