# Nan Hilary — Dangerous Ages character guide > Nan Hilary in Dangerous Ages by Rose Macaulay. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Nan, The Hilary **First appearance:** 0002-dangerous-ages ## Snapshot A sardonic, brilliant novelist of thirty-three, leopard-like and cynical, who fritters her gifts and guards a passionate, hidden devotion to Neville. ## Who they are Nan writes in Chelsea rooms, drifts through the humanities like a cat in the sun, and is infinitely amused by her niece and nephew—often spiteful to them merely because they are young. Her worst fault is a cynical unkindness she does not strive against, and she is jealous of Gerda and Kay for trespassing on her literary preserves. Yet she carries a broken love for Barry and a reckless plan to flee with Stephen Lumley, and her late-night collapse among her proofs makes her the book's rawest study of a clever woman coming apart. ## Relationships ### [Gerda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/gerda) _family_ Gerda and Nan are sisters, with Gerda often feeling overshadowed by Nan's confidence and independence. ### [Barry Briscoe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/barry_briscoe) _friendship_ Barry and Nan share a close, supportive friendship, with Nan acting as a confidante for his romantic troubles. ### [Rosalind Hilary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/rosalind_hilary) _family_ Nan and Rosalind are sisters, with a bond marked by mutual affection but also rivalry over life choices. ### [Pamela Neville](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/pamela_neville) _friendship_ Nan and Pamela are close friends, bonding over intellectual pursuits and personal confidences. ### [Stephen Lumley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/stephen_lumley) _romantic_ Nan is romantically interested in Stephen, but their relationship is complicated by his emotional distance. ### [Gerda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/gerda) _family_ Gerda and Nan are sisters, with Gerda often feeling overshadowed by Nan's confidence and independence. ### [Rosalind Hilary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/rosalind_hilary) _family_ Nan and Rosalind are sisters, with a bond marked by mutual affection but also rivalry over life choices. ### [Rosalind Hilary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/rosalind_hilary) _family_ Nan and Rosalind are sisters, with a bond marked by mutual affection but also rivalry over life choices. ### [Gerda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/gerda) _family_ Gerda and Nan are sisters, with Gerda often feeling overshadowed by Nan's confidence and independence. ### [Barry Briscoe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/barry_briscoe) _friendship_ Barry and Nan share a close, supportive friendship, with Nan acting as a confidante for his romantic troubles. ### [Pamela Neville](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/pamela_neville) _friendship_ Nan and Pamela are close friends, bonding over intellectual pursuits and personal confidences. ### [Barry Briscoe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/barry_briscoe) _friendship_ Barry and Nan share a close, supportive friendship, with Nan acting as a confidante for his romantic troubles. ## In the story ### [Dangerous Ages](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/dangerous-ages) Navigates her complex friendship with Barry, awaiting him in Cornwall as his feelings fade. ### [I: Neville's Birthday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/i-neville-s-birthday) Visits from Chelsea, critiques Gerda's poems with sardonic humor, represents the thirties as a bridge generation. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iii) Neville's youngest sister, mentioned as coming down for the birthday. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iv) Arrives from town, cynical and witty, critiques Gerda's poems, and shows protective affection for Neville. ### [Mrs. Hilary's Birthday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/ii-mrs-hilary-s-birthday) Nan arrives for the birthday, eager to protect her mother but aware of her own potential for irritation. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/i) Present at the gathering; contemptuous of both her mother's pretence and Rosalind's malice. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iii) Arrives with an extravagant present, eager to protect her mother from old age and depression, yet aware of her own potential irritation. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iv) Swims lazily on her back, part of the younger generation that leaves Mrs. Hilary behind. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/v) Sulks at her mother's 'swank' and finds Mrs. Hilary's pervasive lying oppressive; prefers Rosalind's frankness. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/vi) Returns to Chelsea; has supper with Barry Briscoe; engages in political argument with her mother, showing spiteful precision. ### [III: Family Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iii-family-life) Comes to stay in July; Mrs. Hilary discusses her 'compromising affairs' with married men, but Neville defends her as 'too free' to be compromised. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iii) Visits in July; engages in intellectual friendship with Barry Briscoe, setting aside her usual perversities. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/v) Discussed in relation to Barry Briscoe; her writing and marriage prospects are debated. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/vi) The subject of Grandmama's curiosity regarding her friendship with Barry Briscoe, though she does not appear directly in the scene. ### [Roots](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iv-roots) Visits Pamela and Frances, feeling restless and seeking peace; contrasts her own feverish life with their anchored contentment; considers marriage to Barry as a possible root. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/i) Makes a late call at Pamela and Frances's rooms. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/ii) Visits Pamela, expresses fear of becoming like her mother, and seeks solidity in life. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iii) Protagonist of the chapter; rides the bus, reflects on her life, fears becoming like her mother, and decides to pursue a relationship with Barry. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/i) Mrs. Hilary's daughter; she is described as always tiresome and perverse. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned by Rosalind as being at Windover with a young man who performs good works; Rosalind doubts she will marry him. ### [VII: Gerda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/vii-gerda) Barry's romantic interest; writes to Barry inviting him to bicycle in Cornwall with her, Gerda, and Kay. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/ii) Barry thinks of her briefly but shuts the thought away; she revels in storms. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/v) Portrayed as the woman citizen of today, cynical about politics, witty and elusive; Barry desires to marry her but she avoids commitment. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/vii) Though not present, Gerda thinks of Nan as a potential rival for Barry's affections, speculating about their relationship. ### [VIII: Nan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/viii-nan) Stays alone in Marazion to finish her book and await Barry; reflects on her feelings for Barry and her jealousy of Gerda. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/i) Staying alone at Marazion, finishing her book, and awaiting Barry's arrival to accept his proposal. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/ii) Writing on the beach, annoyed by children, reflecting on her relationship with Barry and Stephen Lumley. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iii) Nan is depicted as happy and remote, immersed in swimming, sailing, eating, writing, walking, and lounging in Cornwall, detached from the world's turmoil. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iv) Meets the group at Penzance, leads the excursion, and notices Barry's focus on Gerda, feeling a pang of rejection. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/v) Lies awake brooding over a moment on the causeway, feeling her smile was seductive and rejected; reflects on aging and youth; resents sharing a bed with Gerda and Barry's attention to her. ### [The Pace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/ix-the-pace) Sets a reckless pace for the group, diving from high rocks and cycling down a perilous cliff path. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/i) Narrates the day's events; displays fearless physical courage and a desire for solitude. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/ii) Dives gracefully from high rocks, setting a competitive pace for Gerda. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iii) Cycles recklessly down steep hills without brakes, showing her daring nature and competitive spirit. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iv) Becomes deliberately daredevil, bicycling recklessly and challenging Gerda with ironic looks. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/v) Experiences heartbreak as Barry's feelings fade, but masks her pain with pride and reckless daring, challenging Gerda in dangerous exploits. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/vi) Leads the rescue, swimming strongly and pulling others to safety; reflects on her protective feelings toward Gerda. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/vii) Leads the dangerous bicycle descent down the cliff path, displaying fearless and reckless behavior. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/viii) Nan is the first to respond to the crash, runs back up the path, and helps splint Gerda's arm with her stockings, then supports Gerda's head. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/ix) Tends to Gerda after her fall, listens to her confession about Barry, and grapples with her own feelings of loss and bitterness. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iii) Briefly referenced as having been sentimental at age twenty; she has just gone to Rome for the winter. ### [XI: That Which Remains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/xi-that-which-remains) In Rome with Stephen Lumley, possibly out of desperation; Neville fears she was hurt by Barry's shift to Gerda. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/i) Discussed as possibly having an affair with Stephen Lumley in Rome; speculated to have been waiting for Barry Briscoe before Gerda's involvement. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iv) Neville's little sister, now in Rome with Stephen Lumley, possibly giving herself to a man she doesn't love. ### [XII: The Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/xii-the-mother) Subject of Rosalind's gossip; Mrs. Hilary believes she is 'living in sin' with Stephen Lumley, and seeks advice on how to intervene. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iii) Subject of scandalous rumors about her relationship with Stephen Lumley in Rome; her mother plans to confront her. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iv) Discussed as being in a relationship with Stephen Lumley, described as lawless and reckless, age thirty-three. ### [XIII: The Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/xiii-the-daughter) Defiantly living with Stephen Lumley in Rome; tries to keep emotional distance from her mother but breaks down crying over her lost love for Barry; decides to go away with Stephen. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/i) Mrs. Hilary's daughter; described as a 'naughty girl' with a strong will; her father Richard might have influenced her. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/ii) Meets her mother at the station, looking pale and pinched. She is efficient at handling travel logistics but appears unhappy, with nervous and sullen brows. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iii) Defiantly decides to go to Capri with Stephen Lumley after her mother's outburst, showing fierce anger and rebellion. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/iv) Determined to keep emotional pressure low, deflects her mother's probing; secretly still loves Barry but hides it. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/v) Sits up late correcting proofs, overwhelmed by her decision to leave with Stephen Lumley and her unrequited love for Barry. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/vi) Crying and vulnerable, accepts her mother's comfort ### [XV: The Dream](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/xv-the-dream) Nan is staying in Capri with Stephen Lumley, leading a life of gaiety and industry. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/chapters/ii) Stays in Capri with Stephen Lumley, leading a life of indolence and industry. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters/nan_hilary - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dangerous_ages_se/characters