Mr. Sherwin

Margaret Sherwin

Margaret is Mr. Sherwin's daughter, and he is deeply protective and controlling of her, often acting as a gatekeeper to her suitors.

Robert Mannion

Mr. Sherwin employs Robert Mannion as his confidential clerk, but their relationship is fraught with hidden tension and manipulation.

Basil

Basil is a client of Mr. Sherwin's legal firm, and their relationship is formal but strained due to Basil's secret affair with Margaret.

Mrs. Sherwin

Mr. and Mrs. Sherwin are married, but their relationship is distant and formal, with Mrs. Sherwin largely uninvolved in family decisions.

Ralph

Mr. Sherwin and Ralph interact as business associates, with Ralph often acting as a mediator between Basil and the Sherwin family.

Margaret Sherwin

Margaret is Mr. Sherwin's daughter, and he is deeply protective and controlling of her, often acting as a gatekeeper to her suitors.

Robert Mannion

Mr. Sherwin employs Robert Mannion as his confidential clerk, but their relationship is fraught with hidden tension and manipulation.

Mrs. Sherwin

Mr. and Mrs. Sherwin are married, but their relationship is distant and formal, with Mrs. Sherwin largely uninvolved in family decisions.

Margaret Sherwin

Margaret is Mr. Sherwin's daughter, and he is deeply protective and controlling of her, often acting as a gatekeeper to her suitors.

Robert Mannion

Mr. Sherwin employs Robert Mannion as his confidential clerk, but their relationship is fraught with hidden tension and manipulation.

Basil

Basil is a client of Mr. Sherwin's legal firm, and their relationship is formal but strained due to Basil's secret affair with Margaret.

Basil

Basil is a client of Mr. Sherwin's legal firm, and their relationship is formal but strained due to Basil's secret affair with Margaret.

IX

Receives Basil's letter and agrees to an interview; described as controlling and particular about servants' caps.

The Proposal

Flattered by the proposal but wary of the secrecy and financial risks; negotiates terms.

XI

Proposes a secret marriage with a year's delay to protect Margaret's reputation. He is eager to secure the advantageous match and arranges for the license and a wedding date.

XII

Insists on the marriage agreement being followed, makes congratulatory speeches, and is obstinate about his conditions.

I

Reluctantly allows Basil to visit Margaret daily, fearing the consequences of too much intimacy.

II

Praises Mannion as his indispensable factotum but admits he knows nothing about his clerk's history.

III

Speaks well of Mannion, praising his character and service.

IV

Obstinate about Margaret attending a ball; easily influenced by Mannion.

V

Laughs coarsely at Basil's difficulties about leaving his daughter for a week.

VI

Suffering from a headache and ill-temper, he defends his decision to send Margaret to the party for her financial interest. He suggests Basil go to the party himself.

II

Writes letters to Basil, first pleading for understanding, then threatening public disclosure.

III

Mentioned as Margaret's father, his identity adding to the shock and shame for Basil's father.

IV

Present during Mrs. Sherwin's confession; later refuses to believe she is dying and sends Margaret to her mother.

V

Mannion describes how he manipulated Mr. Sherwin's ambition for his daughter, using it to gain influence over Margaret.

VI

Reported by Ralph to have blustered and threatened, but is seen as a man who can be bought.

VIII

Refuses to forgive Margaret, accuses her of causing her mother's death, and does not attend her burial.

Letter III

Mentioned as still alive, residing in France after bankruptcy and maintaining a reputation of piety despite his misfortunes.