# Ellen Harriott — An Outback Marriage character guide

> Ellen Harriott in An Outback Marriage by Banjo Paterson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Ellen

**First appearance:** 0004-v-the-coming-of-the-heiress

## Snapshot

A governess with moonlight-ride fancies and a secret engagement, who discovers too late what kind of man she has promised herself to.

## Who they are

Ellen drifts into an informal understanding with Gavan Blake, built on dances and stolen kisses rather than any real proposal, and treats the secrecy as something precious. She is proud, quick to freeze when her dignity is touched, and slow to see the debts and forgeries closing around the man she loves. Her presence raises the stakes of Blake's scheming, because his ruin would be hers too.

## Relationships

### [Gavan Blake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outback_marriage_se/characters/gavan_blake)

_romantic_

Ellen Harriott is a refined Englishwoman who becomes a romantic interest for Gavan Blake, creating a love triangle.

### [Gavan Blake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outback_marriage_se/characters/gavan_blake)

_romantic_

Ellen Harriott is a refined Englishwoman who becomes a romantic interest for Gavan Blake, creating a love triangle.

### [Gavan Blake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outback_marriage_se/characters/gavan_blake)

_romantic_

Ellen Harriott is a refined Englishwoman who becomes a romantic interest for Gavan Blake, creating a love triangle.

## In the story

### [V: The Coming of the Heiress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outback_marriage_se/chapters/v-the-coming-of-the-heiress)

The governess at Kuryong, a former nurse who helps Mrs. Gordon prepare for Mary Grant's arrival.

### [VIII: At the Homestead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outback_marriage_se/chapters/viii-at-the-homestead)

A bush-reared governess with grand fantasies; she is intensely excited by Mary's arrival and dazzled by her wardrobe.

### [X: A Lawyer in the Bush](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outback_marriage_se/chapters/x-a-lawyer-in-the-bush)

The governess at Kuryong who writes a secret love letter to Blake, expressing her desire to marry him and leave the station.

### [XI: A Walk in the Moonlight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outback_marriage_se/chapters/xi-a-walk-in-the-moonlight)

Present at Kuryong, she has her own reasons for wanting to get Blake outside and engages in love-talk with him during the walk.

### [Mr. Blake Breaks His Engagement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outback_marriage_se/chapters/xii-mr-blake-breaks-his-engagement)

Heartbroken but composed, she confronts Blake about his true motives and refuses to forgive easily.

### [XIII: The Rivals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outback_marriage_se/chapters/xiii-the-rivals)

Watches Blake's attentions to Mary without jealousy, waiting and observing.

### [A Nurse and Her Assistant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outback_marriage_se/chapters/xxii-a-nurse-and-her-assistant)

Feeling depressed and seeking distraction, she volunteers to nurse Red Mick after his accident, showing competence and compassion.

### [The Real Certificate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outback_marriage_se/chapters/xxvii-the-real-certificate)

Seen in Tarrong by Blake; she goes deathly white but makes no sign of recognition.

### [A Legal Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outback_marriage_se/chapters/xxviii-a-legal-battle)

Sitting with Mary and Mrs. Gordon, she spots the forged certificate and alerts Bouncer.

### [Races and a Win](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outback_marriage_se/chapters/xxix-races-and-a-win)

Attends the races with the Kuryong party and is driven home in the four-in-hand after the brawl.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outback_marriage_se/characters/ellen_harriott
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outback_marriage_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/an_outback_marriage_se/characters