# Stephen Hargraves — Aurora Floyd character guide > Stephen Hargraves in Aurora Floyd by M. E. Braddon. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Hargraves, Stephen, Hargraves, Steeve Hargraves, the Softy **First appearance:** 0011-xii-steeve-hargraves-the-softy ## Snapshot A mentally slow, brooding stable-hand whose smoldering grudge against Aurora Floyd makes him a quiet, dangerous presence in the stables and corridors of Felden Woods. ## Who they are Known around the estate as 'the Softy,' Stephen Hargraves nurses a slow-burning resentment toward the beautiful heiress whose world is so far above his own. His limited mind fixes on slights with a tenacity that more intelligent men would call obsession, and his proximity to the household's horses and outbuildings gives him access that no one thinks to question. In the novel's middle stretch, his silent hostility becomes one of the loose threads a reader learns to watch. ## Relationships ### [Aurora Floyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/aurora_floyd) _psychological_ Stephen Hargraves is a manipulative figure from Aurora's past who holds a secret that threatens her reputation. ### [James Conyers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/james_conyers) _rivalry_ James Conyers and Stephen Hargraves are antagonists who compete and conspire against each other over Aurora's secrets. ### [Talbot Bulstrode](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/talbot_bulstrode) _rivalry_ Stephen Hargraves and Talbot Bulstrode are rivals, as Stephen seeks to expose Aurora's secrets to ruin her relationship with Talbot. ### [Joseph Grimstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/joseph_grimstone) _rivalry_ Joseph Grimstone pursues Stephen Hargraves as a criminal, leading to a tense adversarial relationship. ### [Aurora Floyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/aurora_floyd) _psychological_ Stephen Hargraves is a manipulative figure from Aurora's past who holds a secret that threatens her reputation. ### [Aurora Floyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/aurora_floyd) _psychological_ Stephen Hargraves is a manipulative figure from Aurora's past who holds a secret that threatens her reputation. ### [James Conyers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/james_conyers) _rivalry_ James Conyers and Stephen Hargraves are antagonists who compete and conspire against each other over Aurora's secrets. ### [Talbot Bulstrode](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/talbot_bulstrode) _rivalry_ Stephen Hargraves and Talbot Bulstrode are rivals, as Stephen seeks to expose Aurora's secrets to ruin her relationship with Talbot. ### [James Conyers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/james_conyers) _rivalry_ James Conyers and Stephen Hargraves are antagonists who compete and conspire against each other over Aurora's secrets. ### [Talbot Bulstrode](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/talbot_bulstrode) _rivalry_ Stephen Hargraves and Talbot Bulstrode are rivals, as Stephen seeks to expose Aurora's secrets to ruin her relationship with Talbot. ### [Joseph Grimstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/joseph_grimstone) _rivalry_ Joseph Grimstone pursues Stephen Hargraves as a criminal, leading to a tense adversarial relationship. ## In the story ### [XII: Steeve Hargraves, the “Softy”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xii-steeve-hargraves-the-softy) Called Steeve Hargraves, a repulsive stable-hand with a grudge against Aurora; after receiving gold from John, he shakes his fist and vows to do mischief if given a chance. ### [Mr. Pastern's Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xv-mr-pastern-s-letter) The 'Softy' encountered by Aurora in the woods, who mutters about her and bears no malice. ### [The Trainer's Messenger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xvii-the-trainer-s-messenger) Hired by Conyers as a messenger, Stephen harbors a deep hatred for Aurora, dreaming of violence against her. He reluctantly takes the letter to deliver. ### [He Only Said, I Am A-Weary.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xxi-he-only-said-i-am-a-weary) The 'Softy' bears Conyers's insults with dogged patience, hoarding hatred; watches the carriage return from the station, muttering about 'the brass'; later stares at the sleeping Conyers with envy and fury. ### [Still Constant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xxii-still-constant) Delivers a letter from Aurora to Conyers; seen by John and Mrs. Powell. ### [At the Golden Lion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xxvi-at-the-golden-lion) The 'Softy' is found leaning on the gate of the cottage; he is to be a witness at the inquest. ### [XXVIII: Aurora’s Flight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xxviii-aurora-s-flight) Confronts Aurora at the window, gloatingly reveals that the marriage certificate has been found, and takes pleasure in her agony. ### [Captain Prodder Goes Back to Doncaster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xxxiii-captain-prodder-goes-back-to-doncaster) Appears at the Crooked Rabbit, carrying a note from Aurora to Conyers. He shows it to Prodder and threatens to reveal its contents, hinting that some of it would be stale news to John Mellish. ### [Reunion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xxxvi-reunion) Mentioned as Conyers's hanger-on and messenger, whom Aurora was seen talking to. ### [The Brass Button by Crosby, Birmingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-brass-button-by-crosby-birmingham) Lurks around Doncaster, avoids Captain Prodder, and inquires about trains to Liverpool, followed by Grimstone. ### [Off the Scent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xxxviii-off-the-scent) The 'Softy' suspected of the murder and robbery; under surveillance by Grimstone and his ally. ### [Talbot Bulstrode Makes Atonement for the Past](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xxxix-talbot-bulstrode-makes-atonement-for-the-past) Captured by Talbot and Prodder at the lodge; the waistcoat and money found on him confirm his guilt in Conyers' murder. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/stephen_hargraves - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters