# Mrs. Peacocke — Dr. Wortle’s School character guide

> Mrs. Peacocke in Dr. Wortle’s School by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Mrs. Peacocke

**First appearance:** 0001-part-i-ii-the-new-usher

## Snapshot

The usher's dignified, sorrow-worn wife, who has been living under a name that may not be legally hers, and who faces the world's judgment with a strange, hard-won boldness.

## Who they are

Mrs. Peacocke confides to Mrs. Wortle that her life has been so blighted and destroyed that she can hardly be injured further, and that she can now look back at accusing eyes with a brazen face. She speaks of herself as almost as dead to hope as to shame, yet clings to the wish that some comfort may still come to her husband. Her quiet courage under scandal — and her gratitude to the Wortles for their generosity — make her the emotional center of the novel's moral crisis.

## In the story

### [The New Usher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-i-ii-the-new-usher)

A beautiful and capable woman who refuses social engagements and gifts, insisting on her unique position, which fuels local speculation.

### [The Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-i-iii-the-mystery)

Her past is also revealed. She was married to Ferdinand Lefroy, who was reported dead. After his reappearance, she and Mr. Peacocke have continued to live together, despite the moral and social consequences.

### [V: “Then We Must Go”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-ii-v-then-we-must-go)

Expresses regret and sorrow, feeling she is a curse to her husband, but supports his decision to confess.

### [VII: Robert Lefroy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iii-vii-robert-lefroy)

Kept hidden from Lefroy, but her presence and the threat to her reputation are central to the confrontation.

### [VIII: The Story Is Told](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iii-viii-the-story-is-told)

Absent from dinner, overwhelmed by the situation, showing her distress.

### [IX: Mrs. Wortle and Mr. Puddicombe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iii-ix-mrs-wortle-and-mr-puddicombe)

Expresses her willingness to stay despite the potential shame, but understands they must go.

### [The Bishop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iv-xi-the-bishop)

Her presence at the school is the central point of scandal, and she remains there while her husband is away.

### [I: Mr. Puddicombe’s Boot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-i-mr-puddicombe-s-boot)

Reads the newspaper article and offers to leave Bowick to spare Dr. Wortle further trouble, but he refuses.

### [Everybody's Business](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-ii-everybody-s-business)

The subject of the scandalous rumors; her position is described as tragic and her innocence is implied.

### [III: “Amo in the Cool of the Evening”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-iii-amo-in-the-cool-of-the-evening)

Visited by Dr. and Mrs. Wortle with continued kindness despite the scandal.

### [VII: “Nobody Has Condemned You Here”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-vii-nobody-has-condemned-you-here)

Receives a letter from Mr. Peacocke confirming her first husband's death. She openly expresses her lack of sorrow and defends her relationship with Mr. Peacocke, refusing to repent for her actions and describing her first marriage as a terrible burden.

### [Lord Bracy's Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-vii-lord-bracy-s-letter)

Receives letters from her husband and is comforted by the Wortles' promises about a future marriage.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-conclusion)

Her role in the events is concluded, with her situation resolved.

### [X: The Doctor’s Answer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-x-the-doctor-s-answer)

Receives evidence of her first husband's death and shares the news with Mrs. Wortle, expressing her blighted life and hope for Mr. Peacocke's relief.

### [Mr. Peacocke's Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-xi-mr-peacocke-s-return)

Anxious to see her husband, she is restrained from rushing to London and agrees to meet him privately before the remarriage ceremony.

### [XII: Mary's Success](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-xii-mary-s-success)

Resumed her duties at the school alongside her husband, as noted in the chapter's summary.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/mrs_peacocke
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters