# Dorothy Stanbury — He Knew He Was Right character guide > Dorothy Stanbury in He Knew He Was Right by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Miss Stanbury, Dorothy, Miss Dorothy, Dorothy Makes, Miss Dorothy Stanbury **First appearance:** 0006-vii-miss-jemima-stanbury-of-exeter ## Snapshot A soft-spoken, penniless niece taken in by her imperious aunt in Exeter, she quietly resists being married off to a clergyman she does not love. ## Who they are Dorothy lives under the thumb of Miss Jemima Stanbury, who has decided that her niece shall marry the widowed clergyman Mr. Gibson. Gentle, dutiful, and without a shilling of her own, Dorothy nonetheless refuses to be managed, and her quiet defiance provokes her aunt's bewildered rage. Her story in Exeter — the small daily battles of a dependent woman asserting her will — runs alongside the London plot and gives the novel much of its domestic comedy and pathos. ## Relationships ### [Brooke Burgess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/brooke_burgess) _romantic_ Brooke and Dorothy are deeply in love and eventually marry, representing a central romantic plot. ### [Mr. Gibson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/mr_gibson) _romantic_ Mr. Gibson pursues Dorothy romantically, but she ultimately rejects him in favor of Brooke Burgess. ### [Hugh Stanbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/hugh_stanbury) _family_ Dorothy and Hugh are siblings, with a close and supportive bond despite their different life paths. ### [Martha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/martha) _friendship_ Martha is Dorothy's loyal maid and confidante, providing companionship and support throughout the story. ### [Hugh Stanbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/hugh_stanbury) _family_ Dorothy and Hugh are siblings, with a close and supportive bond despite their different life paths. ### [Brooke Burgess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/brooke_burgess) _romantic_ Brooke and Dorothy are deeply in love and eventually marry, representing a central romantic plot. ### [Mr. Gibson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/mr_gibson) _romantic_ Mr. Gibson pursues Dorothy romantically, but she ultimately rejects him in favor of Brooke Burgess. ### [Mr. Gibson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/mr_gibson) _romantic_ Mr. Gibson pursues Dorothy romantically, but she ultimately rejects him in favor of Brooke Burgess. ### [Brooke Burgess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/brooke_burgess) _romantic_ Brooke and Dorothy are deeply in love and eventually marry, representing a central romantic plot. ### [Martha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/martha) _friendship_ Martha is Dorothy's loyal maid and confidante, providing companionship and support throughout the story. ### [Hugh Stanbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/hugh_stanbury) _family_ Dorothy and Hugh are siblings, with a close and supportive bond despite their different life paths. ### [Martha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/martha) _friendship_ Martha is Dorothy's loyal maid and confidante, providing companionship and support throughout the story. ## In the story ### [Miss Jemima Stanbury, of Exeter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/vii-miss-jemima-stanbury-of-exeter) Implied as the niece being invited to live with Miss Stanbury, though not named directly in the excerpts. ### [I Know It Will Do](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/viii-i-know-it-will-do) Accepts her aunt's invitation to live in Exeter; arrives at the Close with Martha; her modest appearance and gentle manner please Miss Stanbury. ### [Miss Stanbury’s Generosity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xii-miss-stanbury-s-generosity) Defends her brother Hugh against her aunt's criticism, risking her place in the household; later reconciled when Miss Stanbury agrees to let Hugh visit. ### [What They Said About It in the Close](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xv-what-they-said-about-it-in-the-close) Defends Mrs. Trevelyan at the tea party, explaining that the separation is due to a misunderstanding between the couple, not because of Colonel Osborne. ### [The Stanbury Correspondence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xviii-the-stanbury-correspondence) Pleads with her aunt on behalf of her mother, and later receives Miss Stanbury's apology. ### [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) Defends her sister Priscilla and mother, tearfully asserting their honesty, and mediates between her aunt and the Clock House family. ### [Mr. Brooke Burgess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxxi-mr-brooke-burgess) Endures her aunt's crossness, resists Mr. Gibson's awkward advances, and finally confesses she does not love him. ### [Priscilla's Wisdom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxxiv-priscilla-s-wisdom) Writes to Priscilla in distress about Aunt Stanbury's pressure to accept Mr. Gibson's proposal, confessing she does not love him. ### [Mr. Gibson's Good Fortune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxxv-mr-gibson-s-good-fortune) Is the object of Mr. Gibson's proposal and feels shy about discussing marriage. ### [Miss Stanbury's Wrath](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxxvi-miss-stanbury-s-wrath) Refuses to come downstairs to meet Mr. Gibson, leading to a confrontation with her aunt. She offers to return to Nuncombe but eventually stays after a compromise. ### [Miss Stanbury and Mr. Gibson Become Two](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xlii-miss-stanbury-and-mr-gibson-become-two) Dorothy firmly refuses Mr. Gibson's proposal, explaining she does not love him and cannot marry him, despite her aunt's pressure. ### [XLIII: Laburnum Cottage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xliii-laburnum-cottage) Recently arrived at Nuncombe; supports the move after seeing the cottage's poor condition; also discussed regarding her rejection of Mr. Gibson. ### [About Fishing, and Navigation, and Headdresses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xlvii-about-fishing-and-navigation-and-headdresses) Refused Mr. Gibson's proposal; she asks her aunt not to publicize the truth and shows unexpected spirit. ### [Mr. Brooke Burgess After Supper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xlix-mr-brooke-burgess-after-supper) Discussed as the object of Brooke's affection; praised for her sweet nature and her refusal to marry Mr. Gibson. ### [Showing What Happened During Miss Stanbury’s Illness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/li-showing-what-happened-during-miss-stanbury-s-illness) Nurses her aunt, writes to Brooke, and receives his marriage proposal. ### [Mr. Gibson's Threat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/liv-mr-gibson-s-threat) Receives Mr. Gibson's visit with bewilderment; feels Martha's increased respect and is conflicted about allowing Gibson to see her aunt. ### [LVII: Dorothy's Fate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lvii-dorothy-s-fate) Dorothy is torn between her love for Brooke Burgess and her duty to her aunt. She confesses the proposal to Miss Stanbury, who reacts harshly, and Dorothy resolves to reject Brooke's offer despite her feelings. ### [LVIII: Dorothy at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lviii-dorothy-at-home) Returns home from Exeter, changed by her experiences; receives Brooke Burgess's letter and resolves to sacrifice her own happiness for his sake. ### [Of a Quarter of Lamb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxvi-of-a-quarter-of-lamb) Away at Nuncombe Putney; the recipient of the lamb and letter, with Miss Stanbury longing for her return. ### [The Delivery of the Lamb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxxii-the-delivery-of-the-lamb) Receives Brooke's proposal and her aunt's letter; is moved by the letter and feels softened toward Miss Stanbury. ### [Dorothy Returns to Exeter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxxiii-dorothy-returns-to-exeter) Struggles with guilt and loyalty, torn between her love for Brooke and her duty to her aunt; experiences emotional highs and lows as Miss Stanbury first blesses then condemns the marriage. ### [The Lioness Aroused](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxxiv-the-lioness-aroused) Allowed to tell her mother and sister about her engagement to Brooke Burgess. ### [Mrs. French’s Carving Knife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxxxii-mrs-french-s-carving-knife) Observes her aunt's unusual lack of reprobation toward Mr. Gibson's conduct. ### [LXXXIII: Bella Victrix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxxxiii-bella-victrix) Mildly remarks on the marriage, refraining from contradicting her aunt's earlier favorable view of Mr. Gibson. ### [Cropper and Burgess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxxxviii-cropper-and-burgess) Engaged to Brooke; feels conflicted about inheriting property meant for the Burgesses; deeply involved in banking matters. ### [I Wouldn't Do It, if I Was You](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxxxix-i-wouldn-t-do-it-if-i-was-you) Writes to Hugh about her wedding plans and invites him to stay. ### [Mrs. Brooke Burgess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xcvii-mrs-brooke-burgess) The bride, now Mrs. Brooke Burgess; her character has blossomed into confidence and wit. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xcix-conclusion) Marries Brooke Burgess and is installed as mistress of Miss Stanbury's house, though her aunt retains control of the keys. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/dorothy_stanbury - 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