# Imogene Dare — Hand and Ring character guide > Imogene Dare in Hand and Ring by Anna Katharine Green. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Miss Dare, Imogene, Miss Imogene Dare **First appearance:** 0001-i-a-startling-coincidence ## Who they are A foundling turned commanding beauty, Imogene Dare holds the ring, the secret, and the heart of the accused—yet no one can read her. ## Relationships ### [Mr. Orcutt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_orcutt) _professional_ Imogene is a client or associate of Mr. Orcutt, likely a legal or business connection with underlying tension. ### [Mr. Byrd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_byrd) _romantic_ Imogene and Mr. Byrd share a deep romantic connection, with Mr. Byrd as a devoted suitor. ### [Craik Mansell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/craik_mansell) _romantic_ Craik Mansell is a suitor to Imogene, but his feelings may be unrequited or complicated. ### [Mrs. Clemmens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mrs_clemmens) _friendship_ Imogene and Mrs. Clemmens are close friends, with Mrs. Clemmens acting as a maternal figure or confidante. ### [Mr. Ferris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_ferris) _professional_ Imogene and Mr. Ferris have a professional relationship, possibly as client and lawyer or through business dealings. ### [Mr. Mansell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_mansell) _family_ Imogene and Mr. Mansell are related, possibly as uncle and niece or other family connection. ### [Mr. Hickory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_hickory) _friendship_ Imogene and Mr. Hickory share a friendly relationship, with Mr. Hickory as a supportive acquaintance. ### [Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_gryce) _professional_ Imogene and Mr. Gryce have a professional connection, possibly as detective and witness or client. ### [Mr. Byrd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_byrd) _romantic_ Imogene and Mr. Byrd share a deep romantic connection, with Mr. Byrd as a devoted suitor. ### [Mr. Orcutt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_orcutt) _professional_ Imogene is a client or associate of Mr. Orcutt, likely a legal or business connection with underlying tension. ### [Mr. Orcutt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_orcutt) _professional_ Imogene is a client or associate of Mr. Orcutt, likely a legal or business connection with underlying tension. ### [Mr. Hickory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/mr_hickory) _friendship_ Imogene and Mr. Hickory share a friendly relationship, with Mr. Hickory as a supportive acquaintance. ## In the story ### [Book I: The Gentleman from Toledo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/book-i-the-gentleman-from-toledo) A beautiful and melancholic boarder at Sibley's, who captures Mr. Byrd's attention. ### [II: An Appeal to Heaven](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/ii-an-appeal-to-heaven) Arrives at the scene, claims the diamond ring as her own, and is profoundly shaken by the widow's dying curse. ### [IV: Imogene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/iv-imogene) Revealed to be a foundling who rose through life's challenges. She is visibly shaken by the day's events and seeks to leave for Buffalo, but her reasons remain a mystery. Her reaction to Orcutt's proposal is one of struggle and evasion. ### [V: Horace Byrd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/v-horace-byrd) Seen at the railroad station with a travelling-bag, preparing to leave Sibley. Her sudden departure looks like an escape to Byrd, causing him to doubt his earlier belief in her innocence. ### [VI: The Skill of an Artist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/vi-the-skill-of-an-artist) Her encounter with an unknown man at the depot is described, showing mutual horror and recoil. ### [X: The Final Test](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/x-the-final-test) Appears pale and worn out at Miss Tremaine's reception. She maintains a composed demeanor but seems distracted, and her reaction to Byrd's mention of the murder is telling. ### [The Weaving of a Web](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/book-ii-the-weaving-of-a-web) Introduced as a significant character, her connection to the case and to the other principals begins to unfold. ### [XII: The Spider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xii-the-spider) Mentioned as the subject of Byrd's interview; he refrains from testing her reaction to Mansell's name. ### [XIII: The Fly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xiii-the-fly) Though not present in the chapter, her photograph is a central object, defaced with a black cross, which deeply affects Byrd and suggests a connection to Mansell. ### [XVI: Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xvi-storm) Confronts Mansell in the storm, urging him to confess and offering to take a vow of celibacy if he does. ### [XVIII: A Brace of Detectives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xviii-a-brace-of-detectives) Mentioned as the woman who was deceived by Hickory's impersonation, leading to her remorse. ### [Mr. Ferris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xix-mr-ferris) Her name is associated with the new suspicion and she is implicated by the anonymous letter regarding the ring. ### [A Crisis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xx-a-crisis) Shows deep distress and desperation, burning a letter from Mansell and later offering to marry Orcutt in exchange for Hildreth's release. ### [XXI: Heart's Martyrdom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxi-heart-s-martyrdom) Reveals the ring was offered by Craik Mansell and that she refused it, enduring emotional turmoil as she confesses. ### [Mr. Orcutt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxiii-mr-orcutt) Reveals her love for Craik Mansell and her resolve to see justice done, even if it means testifying against him. ### [A True Bill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxiv-a-true-bill) In deep despair over Mansell's indictment, she reveals her willingness to sacrifice herself for him and faints from the emotional strain. ### [Among Telescopes and Charts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxv-among-telescopes-and-charts) Found hiding in the observatory, reveals she knows Hickory is a detective. ### [XXVI: “He Shall Hear Me!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxvi-he-shall-hear-me) She reads Orcutt's letter, burns it, and vows that Mansell will hear her, even in open court. ### [The Great Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxvii-the-great-trial) Expected to be called as a witness the next day; her testimony regarding the ring is considered crucial by the prosecution. ### [XXVIII: The Chief Witness for the Prosecution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxviii-the-chief-witness-for-the-prosecution) Testifies as the chief witness, revealing her suspicions of Mansell's guilt and her emotional turmoil. ### [The Opening of the Defence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxix-the-opening-of-the-defence) Shows feeling through her icy restraint during the defence's opening. ### [XXX: Byrd Uses His Pencil Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxx-byrd-uses-his-pencil-again) Her behavior during Orcutt's defense is analyzed by Hickory, who believes her lack of relief suggests she knows more about the crime than she has admitted. ### [XXXI: The Chief Witness for the Defence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxi-the-chief-witness-for-the-defence) Shows nervous agitation during the proceedings. ### [A Late Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxiii-a-late-discovery) Shows a look of awakening hope as the defense rests, but is later confronted by Mr. Ferris. Her intense emotional turmoil and passionate speech reveal the heavy burden of her secret knowledge. ### [What Was Hid Behind Imogene’s Veil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxiv-what-was-hid-behind-imogene-s-veil) Appears veiled and mysterious; spends the night packing and writing a letter; takes the stand and confesses to striking Mrs. Clemmens, proclaiming Mansell's innocence. ### [Pro and Con](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxv-pro-and-con) Her contradictory statements are the central topic of discussion; she confessed to the murder in court but previously told Ferris she saw Mansell fleeing. ### [XXXVI: A Mistake Rectified](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxvi-a-mistake-rectified) Confronted by Mr. Ferris, she learns of the deception and begins to doubt Mansell's guilt. ### [XXXVII: Under the Great Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxvii-under-the-great-tree) Confesses her perjury to Mr. Orcutt, revealing she saw Mansell at the crime scene. She is desperate to save him and is devastated by Orcutt's refusal to help. ### [XXXVIII: Unexpected Words](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxxviii-unexpected-words) Confronts the dying Orcutt, demanding the truth about Mrs. Clemmens' murder, and is supported by a mysterious gentleman who offers help. ### [XL: In the Prison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xl-in-the-prison) Revealed to have committed perjury, went to Orcutt's house to confess, and is now cleared of suspicion. ### [XLI: A Link Supplied](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xli-a-link-supplied) Her ring and her interactions with Orcutt are central to the investigation. ### [XLV: Mr. Gryce Says Goodbye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xlv-mr-gryce-says-goodbye) Recovering from illness, learns of Mansell's acquittal, expresses guilt and despair over her perjury, and is visited by Mr. Gryce. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters/imogene_dare - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hand_and_ring_se/characters