# Signora Neroni — Barchester Towers character guide > Signora Neroni in Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Madeline Vesey Neroni, La Signora Neroni, Madeline **First appearance:** 0008-ix-the-stanhope-family ## Snapshot A dazzling, crippled Italian beauty who conquers Barchester's clergymen from a sofa and collects jealous wives the way other women collect teacups. ## Who they are Carried into every drawing-room on a sofa she insists upon securing in advance, Madeline Neroni turns the bishop's reception and Miss Thorne's fête into theaters for her own amusement, targeting parsons old and young, sanctified and worldly. Her ambition is sensation—to have clergymen at her feet and every parson's wife sent home in a green fit of jealousy—and her physical helplessness only sharpens her power over those who pity and desire her. Her flirtation with Mr. Arabin becomes a scandal that threatens his reputation and the Archdeacon's plans. ## Relationships ### [Mr. Slope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_slope) _psychological_ Mr. Slope is infatuated with and manipulated by the cunning Signora Neroni, who toys with him for her amusement. ### [Eleanor Bold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/eleanor_bold) _social_ Eleanor and Signora Neroni are polite acquaintances, though Eleanor is wary of the Signora's manipulative nature. ### [Mr. Arabin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_arabin) _social_ Mr. Arabin is briefly fascinated by Signora Neroni's charm but ultimately resists her flirtations. ### [Mr. Slope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_slope) _psychological_ Mr. Slope is infatuated with and manipulated by the cunning Signora Neroni, who toys with him for her amusement. ### [Eleanor Bold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/eleanor_bold) _social_ Eleanor and Signora Neroni are polite acquaintances, though Eleanor is wary of the Signora's manipulative nature. ### [Mr. Slope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_slope) _psychological_ Mr. Slope is infatuated with and manipulated by the cunning Signora Neroni, who toys with him for her amusement. ### [Mr. Arabin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_arabin) _social_ Mr. Arabin is briefly fascinated by Signora Neroni's charm but ultimately resists her flirtations. ### [Eleanor Bold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/eleanor_bold) _social_ Eleanor and Signora Neroni are polite acquaintances, though Eleanor is wary of the Signora's manipulative nature. ### [Mr. Arabin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_arabin) _social_ Mr. Arabin is briefly fascinated by Signora Neroni's charm but ultimately resists her flirtations. ## In the story ### [The Stanhope Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/ix-the-stanhope-family) The beautiful second daughter, formerly Madeline Stanhope, who married the worthless Captain Paulo Neroni and is now a crippled mother, having returned to her family without notice and in reduced circumstances. ### [Mrs. Proudie's Reception—Commenced](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/x-mrs-proudie-s-reception-commenced) Arrives dramatically, carried by attendants, and takes her place on the reserved sofa, dressed in white velvet and jewels, creating a stir. ### [Mrs. Proudie's Reception—Concluded](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xi-mrs-proudie-s-reception-concluded) Remains on the sofa, enjoys Mr. Slope's attention, and laughs at Mrs. Proudie's anger, taking revenge through mockery. ### [The Widow's Suitors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xv-the-widow-s-suitors) Madeline joins Charlotte in urging Bertie to marry Mrs. Bold for her fortune. ### [Barchester by Moonlight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xix-barchester-by-moonlight) Remains at home during the walk but later engages Mr. Slope in intimate whispered conversation. ### [A Love Scene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxvii-a-love-scene) Manipulates Mr. Slope, extracting a declaration of love and teasing him about Eleanor Bold. ### [The Signora Neroni, the Countess de Courcy, and Mrs. Proudie Meet Each Other at Ullathorne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-signora-neroni-the-countess-de-courcy-and-mrs-proudie-meet-each-other-at-ullathorne) Holds court from her sofa, captivating Mr. Thorne and Mr. Arabin; becomes the subject of gossip between Mrs. Proudie and Lady De Courcy. ### [The Bishop Sits Down to Breakfast, and the Dean Dies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-bishop-sits-down-to-breakfast-and-the-dean-dies) Flirts with Mr. Arabin, extracts his feelings for Eleanor, and resolves to help him if Bertie fails. ### [Ullathorne Sports—Act II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xl-ullathorne-sports-act-ii) Mentioned in Mr. Slope's thoughts as he reflects on his sinful state and worldly associations. ### [Mrs. Bold Confides Her Sorrow to Her Friend Miss Stanhope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xli-mrs-bold-confides-her-sorrow-to-her-friend-miss-stanhope) Consents to Charlotte's plan and is engaged in conversation with Mr. Arabin. ### [Ullathorne Sports—Act III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xlii-ullathorne-sports-act-iii) Mentioned as Bertie's sister who could have used his assistance, but Charlotte overrules this. ### [The Stanhopes at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xlv-the-stanhopes-at-home) Manipulatively reveals Mr. Arabin's secret love for Eleanor, advising her to accept him if he proposes, while also showing a rare moment of vulnerability. ### [Mr. Slope's Parting Interview with the Signora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xlvi-mr-slope-s-parting-interview-with-the-signora) Holds a levée in her drawing room, dressed in her brightest morning dress, and delights in publicly mocking and humiliating Mr. Slope. ### [Mr. Slope Bids Farewell to the Palace and Its Inhabitants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/li-mr-slope-bids-farewell-to-the-palace-and-its-inhabitants) Referenced by Mrs. Proudie as the woman with whom Mr. Slope disgraced himself. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/liii-conclusion) Leaves Barchester before the wedding; corresponds briefly with Eleanor after her marriage; the friendship ends. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/signora_neroni - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters