He Knew He Was Right · Character

Camilla French

A fierce, theatrical Exeter daughter who hurls herself at the timid clergyman Mr. Gibson, turning a courtship into a public siege.

supporting

Also known as Miss French, Camilla, Miss Camilla, Miss Camilla French, Cammy, the French

First appearance: xxxv mr gibson s good fortune

As a supporting figure in He Knew He Was Right, Camilla French is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Camilla French is one of Mrs. French's marriageable daughters at Heavitree, and she pursues the vacillating Mr. Gibson with a determination that scandalises Exeter. When he tries to withdraw his offer, she storms his lodgings, threatens to tear his gown and stab her own sister rather than lose him, and reduces the poor man to hiding his face in his hands. Her ferocity is both ridiculous and oddly magnificent, and it drives the comic subplot that shadows the novel's darker marital tragedy.

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Character Web

29 connections

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

Relationship types

Romantic
Other

Character groups

Exeter social circle
London and minor supporting cast

+24 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it represents the emotional and psychological peak of Mrs. Trevely…

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Relationships

Mr. Gibson
romantic · negative
Camilla is infatuated with Mr. How this plays out →
Mr. Gibson
romantic · negative
Camilla is infatuated with Mr. How this plays out →
Mr. Gibson
romantic · negative
Camilla is infatuated with Mr. How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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

See Camilla French in xxxv mr gibson s good fortune

In the story

Camilla French appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

What They Said About It in the Close
Eagerly gossips about Mrs. Trevelyan, insinuating scandal and whispering Colonel Osborne's name to Mr. Gibson.
Miss Stanbury's Wrath
Mentioned as having been in the ascendant in Mr. Gibson's affections for the last two years, but he now turns away from her.
Brooke Burgess Takes Leave of Exeter
Speaks openly about the quarrel between Mr. Gibson and Miss Stanbury, defending Mr. Gibson and hinting at the Frenches' romantic interests.
About Fishing, and Navigation, and Headdresses
Spreads the rumor that Mr. Gibson never proposed to Dorothy; she speaks of him as though he belongs to Arabella.
Mr. Gibson Is Punished
Publicly asserts that Mr. Gibson authorized her to deny any proposal to Dorothy, provoking Miss Stanbury's confrontation.
Camilla Triumphant
Accepts Mr. Gibson's proposal triumphantly, defends her engagement against Arabella's accusations, and begins pressing for a fixed wedding date.
Mr. Gibson's Threat
Reported by her mother to be pining and jealous of Mr. Gibson's visits to the Close; threatens to make a row.
Mysterious Agencies
Furious at the postponement, confronts Mr. Gibson, and later tries to reconcile with him.
Of a Quarter of Lamb
Her marriage to Mr. Gibson has been postponed; she has been buying household items, but rumors suggest the match may be broken off.
The Lioness Aroused
Furious and betrayed upon learning of Mr. Gibson's letter breaking their engagement; threatens to set Exeter on fire and confronts her sister and mother.
Mrs. French’s Carving Knife
Confronts Mr. Gibson with violent threats and is discovered to have hidden a carving knife, raising fears of a tragedy.
LXXXIII: Bella Victrix
Threatens violence and refuses to leave, but is ultimately forced to go to Gloucester, surrendering her trousseau to Bella.

Chapter companion notes

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See Camilla French in xxxv mr gibson s good fortune