# Lady Milborough — He Knew He Was Right character guide

> Lady Milborough in He Knew He Was Right by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Old Lady Milborough, old Lady Milborough, dear Lady Milborough, Milborough

**First appearance:** 0002-iii-lady-milborough-s-dinner-party

## Snapshot

A well-meaning elderly friend of the Rowleys whose anxious warnings about Colonel Osborne help poison Louis Trevelyan's mind against his wife.

## Who they are

Lady Milborough is an old family friend of the Trevelyans, kind, fussy, and entirely convinced that appearances must be preserved at any cost. Her well-intentioned cautions to Louis about Emily's acquaintance with Colonel Osborne give his jealousy a respectable voice, and he later recoils in horror at the thought that she has looked into the sacred shrine of his marriage. She means only good, but her meddling shows how easily respectable society can feed a husband's suspicion.

## In the story

### [Showing How Wrath Began](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/i-showing-how-wrath-began)

Hosts a dinner party that the Trevelyans are to attend; her social standing influences Trevelyan's thoughts on reconciliation.

### [Lady Milborough’s Dinner Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/iii-lady-milborough-s-dinner-party)

Hosts the dinner party; warns Emily about Colonel Osborne, drawing a parallel to the Poole scandal; tries to encourage a match between Nora and Mr. Glascock.

### [Showing How the Quarrel Progressed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/v-showing-how-the-quarrel-progressed)

Mentioned by Trevelyan as having cautioned him about his wife, reinforcing his sense of public shame.

### [Lady Milborough as Ambassador](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xi-lady-milborough-as-ambassador)

Acts as Trevelyan's ambassador; initially expects a triumph but is defeated in the encounter with Emily, leaving awkwardly.

### [The Honourable Mr. Glascock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xiii-the-honourable-mr-glascock)

Acts as an ineffective mediator in the Trevelyan quarrel; worries about Mr. Glascock's interest in Nora being jeopardized by the scandal.

### [The Clock House at Nuncombe Putney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xiv-the-clock-house-at-nuncombe-putney)

Attempts to reconcile the couple but fails; expresses despair at the separation and criticizes the Rowleys.

### [Hugh Stanbury Smokes Another Pipe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxxiii-hugh-stanbury-smokes-another-pipe)

Writes two letters to Mrs. Trevelyan imploring her to be submissive to her husband; is perceived by Trevelyan as having turned against him.

### [XCIV: A Real Christian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xciv-a-real-christian)

Selflessly postpones her departure from London to host Nora; acts as a Christian friend; discusses the Trevelyan affair and Colonel Osborne's behavior.

### [Trevelyan Back in England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xcv-trevelyan-back-in-england)

Provides her carriage and footman for the journey; advises Nora not to stay at the cottage initially.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/lady_milborough
- 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