# Alice Vavasor — Can You Forgive Her? character guide > Alice Vavasor in Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Alice, Miss Vavasor, Alice Vavasor, poor Alice **First appearance:** 0000-i-mr-vavasor-and-his-daughter ## Snapshot A proud, self-scrutinizing young woman who twice accepts and twice doubts her engagements, Alice Vavasor cannot decide whether she deserves the steady love she keeps refusing. ## Who they are Alice moves through the novel as a woman of conscience who trusts her own judgment least of all, breaking with the worthy John Grey and drifting toward her restless cousin George. Her visits to Matching Priory and her friendship with Lady Glencora expose her to a world of political ambition and marital compromise she never quite fits. Her long hesitation over whom to marry drives the book's central question of whether a good woman can forgive herself for the harm her indecision causes. ## Relationships ### [Lady Glencora Palliser](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/lady_glencora_palliser) _friendship_ Alice serves as a close confidante and moral anchor for the impulsive Lady Glencora, offering counsel and support through her marital struggles. ### [John Grey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/john_grey) _romantic_ Alice is torn between her love for the steadfast John Grey and her own doubts about worthiness, leading to a prolonged engagement and emotional turmoil. ### [Plantagenet Palliser](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/plantagenet_palliser) _friendship_ Alice becomes a trusted friend and advisor to the reserved Plantagenet, helping him navigate his marriage to Glencora. ### [George Vavasor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/george_vavasor) _romantic_ Alice is entangled in a toxic, on-again-off-again engagement with her ambitious and unscrupulous cousin George, driven by guilt and a sense of duty. ### [Kate Vavasor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/kate_vavasor) _family_ Alice and Kate are cousins who share a close bond, though Kate's loyalty to her brother George often creates tension. ### [Mrs. Greenow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/mrs_greenow) _family_ Alice is Mrs. Greenow's niece, and their relationship is affectionate but marked by Mrs. Greenow's pragmatic views on love and money. ### [Lady Glencora Palliser](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/lady_glencora_palliser) _friendship_ Alice serves as a close confidante and moral anchor for the impulsive Lady Glencora, offering counsel and support through her marital struggles. ### [Plantagenet Palliser](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/plantagenet_palliser) _friendship_ Alice becomes a trusted friend and advisor to the reserved Plantagenet, helping him navigate his marriage to Glencora. ### [Lady Glencora Palliser](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/lady_glencora_palliser) _friendship_ Alice serves as a close confidante and moral anchor for the impulsive Lady Glencora, offering counsel and support through her marital struggles. ### [John Grey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/john_grey) _romantic_ Alice is torn between her love for the steadfast John Grey and her own doubts about worthiness, leading to a prolonged engagement and emotional turmoil. ### [Plantagenet Palliser](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/plantagenet_palliser) _friendship_ Alice becomes a trusted friend and advisor to the reserved Plantagenet, helping him navigate his marriage to Glencora. ### [John Grey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/john_grey) _romantic_ Alice is torn between her love for the steadfast John Grey and her own doubts about worthiness, leading to a prolonged engagement and emotional turmoil. ## In the story ### [Mr. Vavasor and His Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/i-mr-vavasor-and-his-daughter) The protagonist, a tall, handsome, high-spirited young woman of twenty-four, who lives apart from her father and is already engaged to be married. ### [Lady Macleod](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/ii-lady-macleod) Defends her decision to travel with cousin George Vavasor against Lady Macleod's objections, asserting her independence and refusing to let John Grey's potential disapproval change her plans. ### [John Grey, the Worthy Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/iii-john-grey-the-worthy-man) Alice receives John Grey's letter and struggles with her own indecision about marriage, while defending her choices to Kate and Lady Macleod. ### [George Vavasor, the Wild Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/iv-george-vavasor-the-wild-man) Mentioned as George's former fiancée, now engaged to John Grey; Kate encourages George to try to win her back. ### [The Balcony at Basle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/v-the-balcony-at-basle) Reflects on the tour and her future with John Grey; feels the danger of being alone with George. ### [The Bridge Over the Rhine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/vi-the-bridge-over-the-rhine) Alice is worn out by Kate's emotional pleas and her own internal conflict about her engagement to John Grey, feeling she has failed to defend her position. ### [Aunt Greenow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/vii-aunt-greenow) Kate writes to her about Mrs. Greenow's beauty and social activities. ### [Nethercoats](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/x-nethercoats) Writes to John Grey postponing their marriage, expressing fear of the change marriage would bring. ### [John Grey Goes to London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xi-john-grey-goes-to-london) Alice is tormented by doubts about her engagement, feeling she needs a more purposeful life than that of a country wife. She resolves to break with John Grey. ### [Mr. George Vavasor at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xii-mr-george-vavasor-at-home) Mentioned through her letter to Kate, which George reads; she expresses her determination to break her engagement with John Grey. ### [Alice Vavasor Becomes Troubled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xiv-alice-vavasor-becomes-troubled) Alice tells her father she has broken her engagement with John Grey and later, during a visit from George, is trapped into revealing her changed plans for the future. ### [Paramount Crescent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xv-paramount-crescent) Alice is staying with her aunt in Cheltenham, enduring lectures and readings. She receives a visit from John Grey, who refuses to accept her rejection, and she maintains her resolve not to marry him. ### [Alice Vavasor's Great Relations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xviii-alice-vavasor-s-great-relations) Receives and reacts to letters from Lady Midlothian and Lady Glencora; resolves not to answer Lady Midlothian and declines Lady Glencora's invitation. ### [Alice Is Taught to Grow Upwards, Towards the Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxi-alice-is-taught-to-grow-upwards-towards-the-light) Alice is preparing to visit Matching Priory, feeling conflicted and anxious about the visit. She resists her aunt's and Lady Midlothian's meddling, but ultimately agrees to go. She meets with George Vavasor and explains why she asked Kate to be silent about her movements. ### [Dandy and Flirt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxii-dandy-and-flirt) Arrives at Matching Road Station and is met by Lady Glencora. She feels overwhelmed by Lady Glencora's direct questions about her personal life and struggles to maintain her composure. ### [Dinner at Matching Priory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxiii-dinner-at-matching-priory) Alice is the central guest, seated near Lady Glencora, and participates in political conversation with the Duke and Jeffrey Palliser. She feels socially inferior but resolves to enjoy the evening. ### [In Which Much of the History of the Pallisers Is Told](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxv-in-which-much-of-the-history-of-the-pallisers-is-told) Settles in at Matching Priory, resumes riding, and becomes a confidante to Lady Glencora. ### [Lady Midlothian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxvi-lady-midlothian) Alice stands firm against Lady Midlothian's interference, refusing to discuss her broken engagement with John Grey. ### [The Priory Ruins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxvii-the-priory-ruins) Reluctantly accompanies Lady Glencora, feels conflicted about her friend's confidences, firmly rejects the idea of marrying Jeffrey Palliser. ### [XXVIII: Alice Leaves the Priory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxviii-alice-leaves-the-priory) Alice is the focal point of the chapter, grappling with Plantagenet Palliser's anger and the burden of Lady Glencora's secret about Burgo Fitzgerald. ### [XXX: Containing a Love Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxx-containing-a-love-letter) Recalled in George's memory for her past stance on love and duty; recipient of George's proposal letter. ### [Among the Fells](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxxi-among-the-fells) Alice arrives at Vavasor Hall for Christmas, carrying George's letter but keeping it secret. She reflects on her broken engagement, her ambition to be useful, and her sense of duty to the Vavasor family. ### [XXXII: Containing an Answer to the Love Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxxii-containing-an-answer-to-the-love-letter) Writes to accept George's proposal, stipulating a twelve-month delay and offering financial support. ### [Mr. Vavasor Speaks to His Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxxiv-mr-vavasor-speaks-to-his-daughter) Returns to London with her father; defends her engagement to George but is inwardly tormented by doubt and regret over her past choices. ### [Passion Versus Prudence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxxv-passion-versus-prudence) Alice is panic-stricken and dismayed by George's early visit, feeling repugnance and struggling to express love. ### [John Grey Goes a Second Time to London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxxvi-john-grey-goes-a-second-time-to-london) Struggles to write the letter to John Grey breaking off their engagement, feeling deep regret and self-reproach. ### [Mr. Tombe’s Advice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxxvii-mr-tombe-s-advice) Sits alone after John Grey leaves, tormented by her decision and feeling she has sinned. She resolves never to marry George Vavasor and agrees to the plan to give him money. ### [The Inn at Shap](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-inn-at-shap) Mentioned as the intended source of funds; George plans to use her money for his campaign. ### [XLI: A Noble Lord Dies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xli-a-noble-lord-dies) Agrees to provide the thousand pounds for George's election, arranging it through her father and Mr. Tombe, who debits John Grey. ### [Parliament Meets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xlii-parliament-meets) Mentioned as having advised Lady Glencora against visiting Monkshade; Lady Glencora looks to Alice to save her from Burgo. ### [XLIII: Mrs. Marsham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xliii-mrs-marsham) Invited by Lady Glencora for support, she becomes an enemy of Mrs. Marsham and feels the coldness of the Palliser household. ### [The Election for the Chelsea Districts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xliv-the-election-for-the-chelsea-districts) George writes to her requesting two thousand pounds to fund his election campaign. ### [George Vavasor Takes His Seat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xlv-george-vavasor-takes-his-seat) George plans to visit her in Queen Anne Street to seek sympathy for his political success, though he knows she sees only the idealized version. ### [XLVI: A Love Gift](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xlvi-a-love-gift) Struggles with her promise to marry George, feeling trapped and self-destructive. ### [Preparations for Lady Monk's Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xlviii-preparations-for-lady-monk-s-party) Refuses Lady Glencora's request to attend the party, citing discomfort with such society; later regrets her decision. ### [Bold Speculations on Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/li-bold-speculations-on-murder) Referenced as George's fiancée who treats him coldly, prompting his anger. ### [What Occurred in Suffolk Street, Pall Mall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lii-what-occurred-in-suffolk-street-pall-mall) Mentioned as the object of George's suspicion and betrayal, though not present. ### [LIII: The Last Will of the Old Squire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/liii-the-last-will-of-the-old-squire) Kate receives a long letter from Alice, which she cannot read immediately due to her grandfather's condition. ### [Showing How Alice Was Punished](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/liv-showing-how-alice-was-punished) Her letter to Kate describes George's violent threats and demand for money, leaving her in dismay. She insists the money should still be given to George despite his treatment of her. ### [LVI: Another Walk on the Fells](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lvi-another-walk-on-the-fells) Mentioned by Kate as she reflects on her earlier efforts to defend George to Alice, and by George in his threats. ### [Showing How the Wild Beast Got Himself Back from the Mountains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lvii-showing-how-the-wild-beast-got-himself-back-from-the-mountains) Mentioned as the recipient of Kate's invitation to visit Westmoreland; George plans to seek money from her. ### [Alice Vavasor's Name Gets Into the Money Market](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lx-alice-vavasor-s-name-gets-into-the-money-market) Alice signs four bills of £500 each at George's request, despite her misgivings, to fulfill her promise and avoid consulting her father. ### [The Bills Are Made All Right](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxi-the-bills-are-made-all-right) Has signed bills for two thousand pounds to George, causing her father's anxiety. ### [Going Abroad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxii-going-abroad) Alice is summoned by Lady Glencora and learns of the planned trip abroad. She is in mourning for her grandfather and initially resists, but eventually agrees to accompany the Pallisers. ### [Mr. John Grey in Queen Anne Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxiii-mr-john-grey-in-queen-anne-street) Resolves to visit Kate in Westmoreland; reluctantly dines with John Grey; reflects on her past mistakes and lost love. ### [The Rocks and Valleys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxiv-the-rocks-and-valleys) Mentioned in conversation; Kate wishes to reunite her with John Grey after George's betrayal. ### [LXV: The First Kiss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxv-the-first-kiss) Present at the scene, expresses disappointment at not meeting Mr. Cheesacre. ### [LXVII: The Last Kiss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxvii-the-last-kiss) Returns from Westmoreland to stay with the Pallisers; observes the changed dynamic between Plantagenet and Glencora. ### [From London to Baden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxviii-from-london-to-baden) Travels with the Pallisers, bonds with Mr. Palliser over statistics, and tries to stop Lady Glencora from gambling. Feels unjustly blamed by Mr. Palliser and threatens to leave. ### [From Baden to Lucerne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxix-from-baden-to-lucerne) Remains with the Pallisers in Lucerne after the Baden quarrel; receives a letter from Kate; reflects on her love for John Grey and her decision to live alone. ### [At Lucerne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxx-at-lucerne) Alice is conflicted, feeling unworthy of John Grey's love due to her past actions and engagement to George Vavasor. ### [In Which Come Tidings of Great Moment to All Pallisers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxxiii-in-which-come-tidings-of-great-moment-to-all-pallisers) Receives news of George's departure, is called 'Alice' by Mr. Palliser, and is asked to attend to Lady Glencora. ### [Showing What Happened in the Churchyard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxxiv-showing-what-happened-in-the-churchyard) Struggles with guilt and self-reproach over her past engagement to George Vavasor; ultimately yields to John Grey's proposal in the churchyard cloisters. ### [LXXV: Rouge et Noir](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxxv-rouge-et-noir) Accepts John Grey's proposal, resolves to submit to his guidance, reflects in the churchyard, and later observes Burgo Fitzgerald at the casino. ### [The Travellers Return Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxxvii-the-travellers-return-home) Returns home, visits Lady Macleod, and learns of Grey's financial intervention. ### [Mr. Cheesacre's Fate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxxviii-mr-cheesacre-s-fate) Visits Vavasor Hall and observes the matchmaking; her presence inadvertently irritates Cheesacre. ### [LXXIX: Diamonds Are Diamonds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxxix-diamonds-are-diamonds) Anxious about her sudden marriage and the grand arrangements; receives gifts from Lady Midlothian and Mr. Palliser; reflects on her past folly. ### [The Story Is Finished Within the Halls of the Duke of Omnium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxxx-the-story-is-finished-within-the-halls-of-the-duke-of-omnium) Now married to Mr. Grey, she travels to Italy and later visits Lady Glencora at Gatherum Castle. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/alice_vavasor - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters