# Lady Glencora Palliser — Can You Forgive Her? character guide > Lady Glencora Palliser in Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Lady Glencora McCluskie, Glencora, Lady Glencora **First appearance:** 0017-xviii-alice-vavasor-s-great-relations ## Snapshot A witty, impulsive heiress married to the heir of the Duke of Omnium, Lady Glencora Palliser chafes against duty while half-loving the husband she teases. ## Who they are Glencora is Alice's closest friend and sharpest mirror, a woman whose wild past with Burgo Fitzgerald still flickers beneath her role as a great man's wife. She mocks Plantagenet's seriousness and her own captivity in the same breath, seeing through Alice's hesitations because she recognizes her own. Her marriage becomes the novel's second study in whether love can be built on obligation, and her loyalty to Alice carries the story's emotional weight. ## Relationships ### [Alice Vavasor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/alice_vavasor) _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) _romantic_ A strained marriage of convenience that slowly evolves into mutual respect and affection, though Glencora initially resents Plantagenet's coldness. ### [Burgo Fitzgerald](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/burgo_fitzgerald) _romantic_ Burgo is Glencora's former lover, a charming but dissolute man whose lingering presence tempts her away from her marriage. ### [Mr. Bott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/mr_bott) _social_ Mr. Bott is a sycophantic political hanger-on who ingratiates himself with Glencora, much to her annoyance and suspicion. ### [Mrs. Greenow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/mrs_greenow) _friendship_ Glencora finds a kindred spirit in the vivacious Mrs. Greenow, enjoying her company as a relief from the constraints of high society. ### [Alice Vavasor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/alice_vavasor) _friendship_ Alice serves as a close confidante and moral anchor for the impulsive Lady Glencora, offering counsel and support through her marital struggles. ### [Alice Vavasor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/alice_vavasor) _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) _romantic_ A strained marriage of convenience that slowly evolves into mutual respect and affection, though Glencora initially resents Plantagenet's coldness. ### [Mrs. Greenow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/mrs_greenow) _friendship_ Glencora finds a kindred spirit in the vivacious Mrs. Greenow, enjoying her company as a relief from the constraints of high society. ### [Plantagenet Palliser](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/plantagenet_palliser) _romantic_ A strained marriage of convenience that slowly evolves into mutual respect and affection, though Glencora initially resents Plantagenet's coldness. ### [Mr. Bott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/mr_bott) _social_ Mr. Bott is a sycophantic political hanger-on who ingratiates himself with Glencora, much to her annoyance and suspicion. ### [Burgo Fitzgerald](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/burgo_fitzgerald) _romantic_ Burgo is Glencora's former lover, a charming but dissolute man whose lingering presence tempts her away from her marriage. ## In the story ### [Alice Vavasor's Great Relations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xviii-alice-vavasor-s-great-relations) Writes a friendly letter to Alice inviting her to Matching Priory; her past with Burgo Fitzgerald is recounted. ### [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) Lady Glencora is the hostess of Matching Priory, and Alice feels a mix of affection and apprehension about visiting her in her grand setting. ### [Dandy and Flirt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxii-dandy-and-flirt) Meets Alice at the station and drives her to Matching Priory. She speaks openly about her marriage, her love of driving, and her disdain for societal expectations. She presses Alice about John Grey and George Vavasor. ### [Dinner at Matching Priory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxiii-dinner-at-matching-priory) Lady Glencora hosts the dinner, introduces Alice to the Duke, and later organizes a billiard game. She also confides in Alice about Mr. Bott and her husband's political ambitions. ### [Three Politicians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxiv-three-politicians) Struggles with her husband's emotional coldness; she craves affection and daily tokens of love, which Mr. Palliser does not offer, making her recall her former love for Burgo Fitzgerald. ### [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) Reveals her deep unhappiness in marriage and her sense of being driven into it, confesses her love for Burgo Fitzgerald still haunts her. ### [Lady Midlothian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxvi-lady-midlothian) Lady Glencora hosts Lady Midlothian and attempts to mediate between her and Alice, showing sympathy for Alice's position. ### [The Priory Ruins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxvii-the-priory-ruins) Insists on the moonlit walk, reveals her love for Burgo Fitzgerald and her marital unhappiness, hints at a match between Alice and Jeffrey Palliser. ### [XXVIII: Alice Leaves the Priory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxviii-alice-leaves-the-priory) Lady Glencora is absent from the scene but her earlier confession to Alice about wanting to leave her husband for Burgo Fitzgerald dominates Alice's thoughts. ### [XXIX: Burgo Fitzgerald](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxix-burgo-fitzgerald) Though not present, Lady Glencora is the object of Burgo's schemes. Burgo believes she is unhappy with her husband and still loves him, and he recalls a brief conversation where she advised they should not meet. ### [Monkshade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xxxiii-monkshade) Feigns illness to avoid visiting Monkshade, after confessing her fears to Miss Palliser. ### [Parliament Meets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xlii-parliament-meets) Returns to London from Matching Priory at her own request, feeling conflicted about Burgo Fitzgerald and resentful of Iphy Palliser's interference. ### [XLIII: Mrs. Marsham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xliii-mrs-marsham) Rebels against her husband's request to have Mrs. Marsham as a companion, feeling trapped in a loveless marriage and longing for Burgo Fitzgerald. ### [Preparations for Lady Monk's Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xlviii-preparations-for-lady-monk-s-party) Visits Alice to persuade her to attend Lady Monk's party as a chaperone; reveals her anxiety about meeting Burgo and carries a letter from him proposing elopement. ### [XLIX: How Lady Glencora Went to Lady Monk’s Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xlix-how-lady-glencora-went-to-lady-monk-s-party) Attends Lady Monk's party, avoids Mr. Bott, and exchanges brief words with her husband before he leaves. ### [How Lady Glencora Came Back from Lady Monk's Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/l-how-lady-glencora-came-back-from-lady-monk-s-party) Dances with Lord Hartletop and then with Burgo, feeling torn between her past love and her present duty, while carrying Burgo's letter. ### [The Pallisers at Breakfast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lviii-the-pallisers-at-breakfast) Sits alone by the fire after the party, contemplating her miserable marriage and her love for Burgo Fitzgerald. At breakfast, she is defiant and mocking, but internally she feels lost and sacrificed. ### [The Duke of St. Bungay in Search of a Minister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lix-the-duke-of-st-bungay-in-search-of-a-minister) Confesses her love for Burgo Fitzgerald to her husband; tears up and burns Burgo's letter, deciding to stay with Plantagenet. ### [Going Abroad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxii-going-abroad) Lady Glencora confesses her near-elopement with Burgo Fitzgerald and her husband's decision to take her abroad. She is emotionally volatile, alternating between defiance and gratitude. ### [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) Alice is to travel abroad with her and Plantagenet Palliser; mentioned as the reason for the tour. ### [Lady Monk's Plan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxvi-lady-monk-s-plan) Target of Lady Monk's plan; Burgo had prepared to abduct her after the party. ### [LXVII: The Last Kiss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxvii-the-last-kiss) Packing for Paris, restless and mocking of her husband's domesticity; receives Burgo Fitzgerald and refuses his plea to elope. ### [From London to Baden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxviii-from-london-to-baden) Resists her husband's plans, gambles at Baden, wins and loses money, and is confronted by Mr. Palliser. Shows defiance and affected laughter. ### [From Baden to Lucerne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxix-from-baden-to-lucerne) Persuades Alice to stay; discusses the Baden incident; contrasts her own romantic nature with Alice's; receives news of Mr. Palliser's election. ### [At Lucerne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxx-at-lucerne) Lady Glencora is eager to support John Grey's cause and tries to encourage Alice to accept his love. ### [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) Confides in Alice about her husband's coddling; is pregnant, causing a shift in household dynamics. ### [Showing What Happened in the Churchyard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxxiv-showing-what-happened-in-the-churchyard) Urges Alice to accept John Grey, expressing frustration at Alice's obstinacy and predicting that refusal now would be final. ### [LXXV: Rouge et Noir](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxxv-rouge-et-noir) Teases Alice about her engagement, expresses joy, and later becomes distressed upon seeing Burgo Fitzgerald gambling at the casino. ### [The Landlord's Bill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxxvi-the-landlord-s-bill) Anxiously urges her husband to help Burgo, expressing fear that Burgo might harm himself, and is appeased only by the promise of ongoing support. ### [The Travellers Return Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxxvii-the-travellers-return-home) Returns from Baden with her husband, relieved by his leniency, and spends time with Alice. ### [LXXIX: Diamonds Are Diamonds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxxix-diamonds-are-diamonds) Arranges the wedding with enthusiasm; gives Alice a Sèvres china service; walks with Alice in the ruins and discusses Burgo Fitzgerald's fate. ### [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) Gives birth to a son, the heir to the Duke of Omnium, and writes indiscreet letters to Alice. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/lady_glencora_palliser - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters