# Beatrice Gresham — Doctor Thorne character guide > Beatrice Gresham in Doctor Thorne by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Beatrice, Miss Gresham, Miss Beatrice Gresham, Poor Beatrice **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-greshams-of-greshamsbury ## Snapshot Frank's sensible younger sister, Mary Thorne's closest friend, and one of the few Greshams untainted by de Courcy pride. ## Who they are Beatrice Gresham is the second daughter of Greshamsbury, plain-spoken, warm, and loyal to Mary Thorne even when the rest of the family treats her as a threat. She carries messages between the lovers, grumbles about the dullness of the house, and watches her sister Augusta's shabby engagement to Mr. Moffat with clear eyes. Her friendship gives Mary a foothold inside the very family that would exclude her, and her running commentary keeps the reader oriented in Greshamsbury's domestic politics. ## Relationships ### [Mary Thorne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters/mary_thorne) _friendship_ Beatrice is Mary's loyal friend and confidante, supporting her despite family tensions. ### [Frank Gresham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters/frank_gresham) _family_ Beatrice is Frank's sister, often mediating between him and their mother over his romance with Mary. ### [Mary Thorne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters/mary_thorne) _friendship_ Beatrice is Mary's loyal friend and confidante, supporting her despite family tensions. ### [Frank Gresham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters/frank_gresham) _family_ Beatrice is Frank's sister, often mediating between him and their mother over his romance with Mary. ### [Mary Thorne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters/mary_thorne) _friendship_ Beatrice is Mary's loyal friend and confidante, supporting her despite family tensions. ### [Frank Gresham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters/frank_gresham) _family_ Beatrice is Frank's sister, often mediating between him and their mother over his romance with Mary. ## In the story ### [The Greshams of Greshamsbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/i-the-greshams-of-greshamsbury) The other surviving eldest daughter, part of the de Courcy-moulded Gresham children. ### [Dr. Thorne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/iii-dr-thorne) Another Gresham daughter who is fond of Mary and participates in the shared lessons. ### [Lessons from Courcy Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/iv-lessons-from-courcy-castle) Advocates for Mary Thorne to be a bridesmaid, but is overruled by Lady Alexandrina de Courcy, who questions Mary's parentage. ### [Frank Gresham's Early Loves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/vi-frank-gresham-s-early-loves) Beatrice is Mary's confidante, who has unwittingly encouraged Frank and Mary's early flirtations, though she values blood and family honour. ### [VII: The Doctor’s Garden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/vii-the-doctor-s-garden) Mentioned as the sister Mary would love to be; her marriage to Mr. Moffat is discussed. ### [Matrimonial Prospects](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/viii-matrimonial-prospects) Frank confides in her about his love for Mary; she listens but considers it nonsense. ### [Sentence of Exile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xiv-sentence-of-exile) Meets Dr. Thorne in the garden and laments Mary's absence, unaware of the brewing conflict. ### [Retrospective](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxiii-retrospective) Beatrice visits Mary and expresses her distress over Frank's behavior, but Mary does not share her view of Frank's fault. ### [War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxvi-war) Sympathizes deeply with Mary and romanticizes her situation, often discussing Frank's love as a tragic impossibility. ### [Miss Thorne Goes on a Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxvii-miss-thorne-goes-on-a-visit) Reluctantly obeys her mother's command to drop all intercourse with Mary, though she is unhappy and discusses the situation with Patience Oriel. ### [The Donkey Ride](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxix-the-donkey-ride) Frank confides in her about his plan to go to Boxall Hill; she sends her love to Mary but warns Frank of the imprudence. ### [Post Prandial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxx-post-prandial) Frank's sister, who was told earlier about his love for Mary; she is present at dinner but not directly involved in the conversation. ### [Mr. Oriel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxxii-mr-oriel) Becomes engaged to Mr. Oriel after a period of quiet courtship, much to her joy. ### [A Morning Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxxiii-a-morning-visit) Visits Mary to discuss her own upcoming marriage to Caleb Oriel, but becomes distressed upon learning of Mary's feelings for Frank. ### [De Courcy Precepts and de Courcy Practice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxxviii-de-courcy-precepts-and-de-courcy-practice) Mentioned as preparing for her second baby, having married Mr. Oriel. ### [XXXIX: What the World Says About Blood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxxix-what-the-world-says-about-blood) Beatrice is caught between Frank's demands and Mary's refusal, but she sympathizes with both. ### [Doctor Thorne Won't Interfere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xli-doctor-thorne-won-t-interfere) Mentioned as becoming the wife of a parish parson; her wedding is to be quiet due to financial constraints. ### [XLII: What Can You Give in Return?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xlii-what-can-you-give-in-return) Happy in her wedding preparations but burdened by the conflict between her mother and Mary; seeks advice from Caleb and bravely petitions Lady Arabella. ### [Saturday Evening and Sunday Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xliv-saturday-evening-and-sunday-morning) Her joy over her coming marriage is diminished by the family tension; she avoids visiting Mary due to their disagreement. ### [How the Bride Was Received, and Who Were Asked to the Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xlvii-how-the-bride-was-received-and-who-were-asked-to-the-wedding) Serves as a bridesmaid, correctly reads Mary's character as mild but proud. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters/beatrice_gresham - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters