Can You Forgive Her? · Character

Mr. Cheesacre

A substantial Norfolk farmer with Oileymead in his pocket and self-regard to match, he courts Mrs. Greenow with gifts and wounded dignity.

supporting

Also known as Cheesacre, poor Cheesacre, the lamb Cheesacre

First appearance: Mr. Cheesacre

As a supporting figure in Can You Forgive Her?, Mr. Cheesacre is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Attempts to discredit Captain Bellfield by revealing his debts and vies for Mrs.

In the storyMr. CheesacreOpen this moment free

See Mr. Cheesacre in Mr. Cheesacre Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Cheesacre is a man of property who cannot fathom why property alone should not win a widow, and his courtship consists largely of enumerating his own solid virtues. When Mrs. Greenow's favor tilts toward his rival, he pivots with breathtaking speed to pursuing her niece Kate, revealing that his heart is really a ledger. His blustering pursuit of both women exposes the marriage market's crude arithmetic, and his feud with Bellfield supplies some of the novel's sharpest comedy.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Mr. Cheesacre sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Mr. Cheesacre in Mr. Cheesacre

Character Web

23 connections

A slice of how Mr. Cheesacre sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Romantic
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Main love and political triangle
Extended family, society, and minor schemers

+18 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this passage, the emotional and psychological peak occurs as the narrative shifts from personal drama to th…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Mrs. Greenow
romantic · ambivalent
A wealthy but pompous farmer, Mr. How this plays out →
Captain Bellfield
rivalry · negative
Mrs. Greenow
romantic · ambivalent
A wealthy but pompous farmer, Mr. How this plays out →
Captain Bellfield
rivalry · negative
Captain Bellfield
rivalry · negative
Mrs. Greenow
romantic · ambivalent
A wealthy but pompous farmer, Mr. How this plays out →

Mrs. Greenow
A wealthy but pompous farmer, Mr. Cheesacre aggressively courts the flirtatious widow Mrs. Greenow, competing with Captain Bellfield.
Captain Bellfield
The two men are bitter rivals for the affections and fortune of Mrs. Greenow, engaging in petty schemes and public confrontations.
Mrs. Greenow
A wealthy but pompous farmer, Mr. Cheesacre aggressively courts the flirtatious widow Mrs. Greenow, competing with Captain Bellfield.
Captain Bellfield
The two men are bitter rivals for the affections and fortune of Mrs. Greenow, engaging in petty schemes and public confrontations.
Captain Bellfield
The two men are bitter rivals for the affections and fortune of Mrs. Greenow, engaging in petty schemes and public confrontations.
Mrs. Greenow
A wealthy but pompous farmer, Mr. Cheesacre aggressively courts the flirtatious widow Mrs. Greenow, competing with Captain Bellfield.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Mr. Cheesacre in Mr. Cheesacre

In the story

Mr. Cheesacre appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Mr. Cheesacre
Attempts to discredit Captain Bellfield by revealing his debts and vies for Mrs. Greenow's favor.
The Rivals
A prosperous Norfolk farmer who proposes to Mrs. Greenow, boasting of his land and lack of debt; he is jealous of Bellfield's familiarity with the widow.
Tribute from Oileymead
Sends regular tributes of food from Oileymead to Mrs. Greenow, courts her while pretending interest in Kate.
XX: Which Shall It Be?
Proposes to Mrs. Greenow, offering his estate and a pony carriage, but is refused.
Mr. Cheesacre's Hospitality
The wealthy farmer, deeply anxious about Bellfield's influence and Mrs. Greenow's spending; he invites Bellfield to Oileymead to monitor him.
Mrs. Greenow's Little Dinner in the Close
Jealous of Bellfield, attempts to propose to Mrs. Greenow but is rebuked for his language; later discovers Bellfield retrieved his luggage.
Mr. Cheesacre's Disappointment
Heartbroken after Mrs. Greenow's rejection; refuses to consider Kate Vavasor and leaves for Oileymead.
LXV: The First Kiss
Arrives at Vavasor Hall hoping to marry Mrs. Greenow, is rejected, and accuses Captain Bellfield of being wanted by the police.
Mr. Cheesacre's Fate
Target of Mrs. Greenow's matchmaking; feels neglected and offended by Alice's presence, but is gradually being manipulated toward Charlie.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. Cheesacre unlock in the free preview.

See Mr. Cheesacre in Mr. Cheesacre