# Lucia — Behind a Mask character guide

> Lucia in Behind a Mask by Louisa May Alcott.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Miss Lucia, Poor Lucia

**First appearance:** 0000-i-jean-muir

## Who they are

Gerald's proud, perceptive cousin, the one woman in the house who watches Jean Muir with narrowed eyes and refuses to be charmed.

## Relationships

### [Mr. Coventry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/mr_coventry)

_romantic_

Lucia is Mr. Coventry's betrothed, but their relationship is strained by his growing attraction to Jean Muir.

### [Jean Muir](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/jean_muir)

_rivalry_

Jean Muir sees Lucia as a romantic rival and subtly undermines her relationship with Mr. Coventry.

### [Ned Coventry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/ned_coventry)

_social_

Lucia and Ned are polite acquaintances, with Ned occasionally teasing her about her engagement.

### [Bella Coventry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/bella_coventry)

_friendship_

Bella and Lucia are friendly, with Bella often confiding in Lucia about family matters.

### [Jean Muir](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/jean_muir)

_rivalry_

Jean Muir sees Lucia as a romantic rival and subtly undermines her relationship with Mr. Coventry.

### [Mr. Coventry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/mr_coventry)

_romantic_

Lucia is Mr. Coventry's betrothed, but their relationship is strained by his growing attraction to Jean Muir.

### [Jean Muir](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/jean_muir)

_rivalry_

Jean Muir sees Lucia as a romantic rival and subtly undermines her relationship with Mr. Coventry.

### [Mr. Coventry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/mr_coventry)

_romantic_

Lucia is Mr. Coventry's betrothed, but their relationship is strained by his growing attraction to Jean Muir.

### [Ned Coventry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/ned_coventry)

_social_

Lucia and Ned are polite acquaintances, with Ned occasionally teasing her about her engagement.

### [Bella Coventry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/bella_coventry)

_friendship_

Bella and Lucia are friendly, with Bella often confiding in Lucia about family matters.

### [Ned Coventry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/ned_coventry)

_social_

Lucia and Ned are polite acquaintances, with Ned occasionally teasing her about her engagement.

### [Bella Coventry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/bella_coventry)

_friendship_

Bella and Lucia are friendly, with Bella often confiding in Lucia about family matters.

## In the story

### [I: Jean Muir](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/chapters/i-jean-muir)

Haughty and watchful; suspicious of Jean Muir and protective of Gerald's attention.

### [A Good Beginning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/chapters/ii-a-good-beginning)

Shows Jean the breakfast room, is flattered by Jean's comparison to her mother, and finds Jean entertaining.

### [III: Passion and Pique](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/chapters/iii-passion-and-pique)

Lucia dislikes Jean and is left alone with Gerald, but her society loses its charm for him. She is not part of the happy circle in Bella's study and is too proud to seek admission.

### [IV: A Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/chapters/iv-a-discovery)

Actively works to keep Jean and Gerald apart; whispers to Edward that she will 'keep them apart.'

### [V: How the Girl Did It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/chapters/v-how-the-girl-did-it)

Jealous of Jean's success and Gerald's attention, she tries to separate them by sending Jean to play Queen Bess and forbidding Gerald from joining.

### [On the Watch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/chapters/vi-on-the-watch)

Jealous of Jean's influence, she spies on Gerald and Jean, leading to a confrontation with Gerald.

### [VII: The Last Chance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/chapters/vii-the-last-chance)

Referenced as having been rejected by Gerald; her warning about Jean's manipulative nature is relayed, and she is depicted grieving behind a window.

### [Lady Coventry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/chapters/ix-lady-coventry)

Gerald pauses behind her chair as if to shield her; Jean sarcastically congratulates her on her engagement.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters/lucia
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_a_mask_se/characters