# Talbot Bulstrode — Aurora Floyd character guide > Talbot Bulstrode in Aurora Floyd by M. E. Braddon. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Bulstrode, Sir Talbot Bulstrode, Talbot Raleigh Bulstrode, Mr. Talbot Bulstrode **First appearance:** 0000-i-how-a-rich-banker-married-an-actress ## Snapshot A proud, bookish baronet of thirty-two who loves Aurora Floyd past reason, then lets a gossiping letter about her schoolgirl disappearance destroy the engagement. ## Who they are Talbot Bulstrode is the 11th Hussars' strangest officer — black-letter folios, mathematical instruments, and a sense of honour he treats as the strongest part of his nature. Warned that there is 'some mystery about the life of Aurora Floyd,' he demands an explanation, gets none, and breaks with her rather than risk a false position. His agony on the Cornish moors is real and self-inflicted; he is the man who chose principle over love, and the novel never lets him forget it. ## Relationships ### [Aurora Floyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/aurora_floyd) _romantic_ Aurora and Talbot share a passionate but tumultuous romantic relationship, marked by intense attraction and conflict. ### [Lucy Floyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/lucy_floyd) _social_ Lucy and Talbot are acquaintances through their connection to Aurora, with Lucy observing Talbot's courtship. ### [Samuel Prodder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/samuel_prodder) _professional_ Samuel Prodder interacts with Talbot as a former employee and later as an ally in investigating Aurora's past. ### [Archibald Floyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/archibald_floyd) _social_ Archibald Floyd and Talbot Bulstrode are acquaintances, with Archibald initially approving of Talbot as a suitor for Aurora. ### [Stephen Hargraves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/stephen_hargraves) _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) _professional_ Joseph Grimstone and Talbot Bulstrode collaborate professionally, with Talbot aiding Grimstone's investigation into Aurora's affairs. ### [Aurora Floyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/aurora_floyd) _romantic_ Aurora and Talbot share a passionate but tumultuous romantic relationship, marked by intense attraction and conflict. ### [Aurora Floyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/aurora_floyd) _romantic_ Aurora and Talbot share a passionate but tumultuous romantic relationship, marked by intense attraction and conflict. ### [Lucy Floyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/lucy_floyd) _social_ Lucy and Talbot are acquaintances through their connection to Aurora, with Lucy observing Talbot's courtship. ### [Lucy Floyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/lucy_floyd) _social_ Lucy and Talbot are acquaintances through their connection to Aurora, with Lucy observing Talbot's courtship. ### [Joseph Grimstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/joseph_grimstone) _professional_ Joseph Grimstone and Talbot Bulstrode collaborate professionally, with Talbot aiding Grimstone's investigation into Aurora's affairs. ### [Joseph Grimstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/joseph_grimstone) _professional_ Joseph Grimstone and Talbot Bulstrode collaborate professionally, with Talbot aiding Grimstone's investigation into Aurora's affairs. ## In the story ### [III: What Became of the Diamond Bracelet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/iii-what-became-of-the-diamond-bracelet) A proud Cornish baronet's son and captain in the 11th Hussars, he arrives at the ball with Francis Maldon. He is appalled by Aurora's interest in horse racing, imagining her as a corrupting influence, yet he cannot stop thinking about her. ### [After the Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/iv-after-the-ball) Visits Felden Woods two days after the ball; observes Aurora and her father with suspicion; reflects on his own coldness and inability to be loved. ### [John Mellish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/v-john-mellish) Talbot has sold out of the army and visits the Floyds in Brighton. He struggles with his growing love for Aurora, feeling jealous upon the arrival of John Mellish. ### [Rejected and Accepted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/vi-rejected-and-accepted) Proposes to Aurora and is rejected; later meets John Mellish and decides to call on Archibald Floyd before leaving. ### [Aurora's Strange Pensioner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/vii-aurora-s-strange-pensioner) Now deeply in love with Aurora, but troubled by her secretive encounter with a disreputable man. ### [Poor John Mellish Comes Back Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/viii-poor-john-mellish-comes-back-again) Defends his engagement to Aurora against John's accusations. He receives a letter from his mother about Constance Trevyllian's return and struggles with guilt over Lucy's possible feelings. ### [How Talbot Bulstrode Spent His Christmas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/ix-how-talbot-bulstrode-spent-his-christmas) Tormented by doubt after receiving his mother's letter, he confronts Aurora and ultimately breaks their engagement. ### [Fighting the Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/x-fighting-the-battle) Makes a silent oath to avoid communication with Aurora, struggling with his own feelings of fear and love. ### [At the Château d’Arques](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xi-at-the-ch-teau-d-arques) Referenced in Aurora's thoughts as her former lover; she wonders if he has married and imagines his future bride. ### [XII: Steeve Hargraves, the “Softy”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xii-steeve-hargraves-the-softy) Reads of Aurora's marriage in the Times, feeling rage and mortification, and reflects on his lost love while preparing for Parliament. ### [The Spring Meeting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xiii-the-spring-meeting) Appears unexpectedly at the York Spring Meeting, struggling with jealousy and regret as he observes Aurora's happiness with John. ### [Love Took Up the Glass of Time, and Turned It in His Glowing Hands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xiv-love-took-up-the-glass-of-time-and-turned-it-in-his-glowing-hands) Visits Mellish Park, struggles with unresolved feelings for Aurora, and proposes to Lucy Floyd. ### [Mr. Pastern's Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xv-mr-pastern-s-letter) Lucy's husband, who defends Aurora to his mother but remains somewhat unsatisfied. ### [Money Matters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xix-money-matters) Present at Felden Woods with Lucy; reflects on his past with Aurora and feels relief at having married Lucy. ### [XXVIII: Aurora’s Flight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xxviii-aurora-s-flight) Aurora considers going to him for advice and to confess everything, as she had once spoken to Lucy Bulstrode. ### [John Mellish Finds His Home Desolate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xxix-john-mellish-finds-his-home-desolate) Contrasted with John Mellish in how he handled Aurora's secret. ### [An Unexpected Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xxx-an-unexpected-visitor) Aurora's former fiancé, now the arbiter she turns to; he is shocked by her visit and her kneeling plea, but gradually offers a brother's help. ### [Talbot Bulstrode's Advice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xxxi-talbot-bulstrode-s-advice) Sends a telegram to John Mellish, reflects on social injustice, and advises John to remarry Aurora quietly. ### [On the Watch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xxxii-on-the-watch) Receives John and Aurora in the evening, questions John about the men who followed them, and keeps watch from the balcony. ### [XXXIV: The Discovery of the Weapon with Which James Conyers Had Been Slain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-discovery-of-the-weapon-with-which-james-conyers-had-been-slain) Advised John to return to Mellish Park promptly in case of disturbances related to the murder. ### [Under a Cloud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xxxv-under-a-cloud) Reflects on his past harshness toward Aurora and regrets his pride; resolves to atone by being her friend. ### [Reunion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xxxvi-reunion) Acts as the rational mediator, urging John to reconcile with Aurora and directing the investigation strategy. ### [The Brass Button by Crosby, Birmingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-brass-button-by-crosby-birmingham) Assists in the investigation, provides the list of banknote numbers, and checks John's impatience. ### [Talbot Bulstrode Makes Atonement for the Past](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/chapters/xxxix-talbot-bulstrode-makes-atonement-for-the-past) Acts as John's patient keeper, restrains his outbursts, and later confronts and captures Stephen Hargraves at the lodge. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters/talbot_bulstrode - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/aurora_floyd_se/characters