# Colonel Osborne — He Knew He Was Right character guide > Colonel Osborne in He Knew He Was Right by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Osborne, Nuncombe Putney, Our Colonel, The Colonel, horrid Colonel **First appearance:** 0001-ii-colonel-osborne ## Snapshot A portly, self-satisfied man of fashion whose visits to a young married woman ignite a jealousy that will consume her husband and wreck a household. ## Who they are Colonel Osborne moves through Exeter society with the ease of a man who has always been welcomed and never questioned, paying calls on Mrs. Trevelyan at Nuncombe Putney with a casualness that scandalizes the neighborhood. Whether his intentions are genuinely improper or merely careless, his presence is the spark that Trevelyan's suspicious mind transforms into obsession. He embodies the social danger of a man whose reputation protects him while the woman he visits bears all the consequences. ## Relationships ### [Louis Trevelyan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/louis_trevelyan) _rivalry_ Colonel Osborne is the object of Louis's pathological jealousy, seen as a rival for Emily's affection, though he is mostly a flirt. ### [Louis Trevelyan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/louis_trevelyan) _rivalry_ Colonel Osborne is the object of Louis's pathological jealousy, seen as a rival for Emily's affection, though he is mostly a flirt. ### [Louis Trevelyan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/louis_trevelyan) _rivalry_ Colonel Osborne is the object of Louis's pathological jealousy, seen as a rival for Emily's affection, though he is mostly a flirt. ## In the story ### [Showing How Wrath Began](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/i-showing-how-wrath-began) His visit to the Trevelyan home is the catalyst for the marital dispute; his arrival is anticipated with anxiety by Trevelyan. ### [Lady Milborough’s Dinner Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/iii-lady-milborough-s-dinner-party) Mentioned as the source of the secret about Sir Marmaduke's return; central to Trevelyan's jealousy; Lady Milborough warns Emily about his reputation. ### [Showing How the Quarrel Progressed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/v-showing-how-the-quarrel-progressed) His letter to Emily, addressing her as 'Dear Emily,' triggers Trevelyan's anger and is the immediate cause of the quarrel's escalation. ### [Showing How Reconciliation Was Made](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/vi-showing-how-reconciliation-was-made) Encountered by the Trevelyans in the park; his presence reignites tension. ### [IX: Showing How the Quarrel Progressed Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/ix-showing-how-the-quarrel-progressed-again) Seen leaving the Trevelyans' house and later meets Stanbury in the street. He expresses his belief that Trevelyan bullies Emily and that the marriage cannot last. ### [Hard Words](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/x-hard-words) Writes a playful note to Emily Trevelyan, enjoying the excitement of being the cause of marital discord. ### [The Honourable Mr. Glascock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xiii-the-honourable-mr-glascock) Receives another letter from Emily Trevelyan and responds with excessive affection, fueling Trevelyan's jealousy. ### [XVI: Dartmoor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xvi-dartmoor) Reported to have visited Mrs. Trevelyan at the Clock House, causing Miss Stanbury's alarm. ### [Showing How Colonel Osborne Went to Cockchaffington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xx-showing-how-colonel-osborne-went-to-cockchaffington) His vanity is gratified by the scandal; he writes to Emily and plans to visit her in Devonshire. ### [Showing How Colonel Osborne Went to Nuncombe Putney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxi-showing-how-colonel-osborne-went-to-nuncombe-putney) Visits Nuncombe Putney under the pretext of seeing an acquaintance and a church, but his real motive is to see Emily Trevelyan. ### [Showing How Miss Stanbury Behaved to Her Two Nieces](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxii-showing-how-miss-stanbury-behaved-to-her-two-nieces) His visit to the Clock House is revealed, causing distress and conflict within the family. ### [Colonel Osborne and Mr. Bozzle Return to London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxiii-colonel-osborne-and-mr-bozzle-return-to-london) Defends his visit to Nuncombe Putney, claiming he went to see an old friend and a remarkable antiquity; travels back to London with Bozzle. ### [Niddon Park](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxiv-niddon-park) Visited Nuncombe Putney and saw Mrs. Trevelyan; his visit is condemned by Hugh and Priscilla. ### [A Third Party Is So Objectionable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxvi-a-third-party-is-so-objectionable) Allegedly received a letter from Emily, deepening Trevelyan's suspicions. ### [Mr. Trevelyan's Letter to His Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxvii-mr-trevelyan-s-letter-to-his-wife) The man Trevelyan suspects of being his wife's lover; Trevelyan obsesses over his actions and correspondence with Emily. ### [Showing What Took Place at St. Diddulph's](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xli-showing-what-took-place-at-st-diddulph-s) Visits the Outhouse home to inquire after Emily and Nora, but is turned away by Mr. Outhouse. ### [Trevelyan at Venice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xlv-trevelyan-at-venice) Visits Mr. Outhouse's parsonage, though he does not see Emily or Nora. ### [Mr. Bozzle at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lix-mr-bozzle-at-home) Bozzle reports that the Colonel is in London attending to parliamentary duties, and suggests that he has been meeting with Emily Trevelyan in secret. ### [Sir Marmaduke at His Club](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxiv-sir-marmaduke-at-his-club) Meets Sir Marmaduke at the club and defends his actions regarding Emily, blaming Trevelyan's madness and asserting his own innocence. ### [Major Magruder's Committee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxviii-major-magruder-s-committee) Sits on the Committee as a silent member; Sir Marmaduke is cold toward him, and he feels aggrieved by the perceived ingratitude. ### [Self-Sacrifice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxxxiv-self-sacrifice) Blamed by Trevelyan as one of the two enemies who worked his ruin, along with Bozzle. ### [Lady Rowley Conquered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xc-lady-rowley-conquered) Provides a disparaging account of the Stanburys to Sir Marmaduke, describing their poverty and Hugh's past behavior. ### [XCIV: A Real Christian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xciv-a-real-christian) Criticized by Lady Milborough for his role in the Trevelyan marital troubles; she believes he should have removed himself from the situation. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/colonel_osborne - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters