# Priscilla Stanbury — He Knew He Was Right character guide > Priscilla Stanbury in He Knew He Was Right by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Miss Priscilla Stanbury, Priscilla, Miss Stanbury, poor Priscilla Stanbury **First appearance:** 0013-xiv-the-clock-house-at-nuncombe-putney ## Snapshot Dorothy's clear-eyed older sister at Nuncombe Putney, whose sharp tongue and self-imposed spinsterhood mask a fierce loyalty to those she loves. ## Who they are Priscilla runs the practical affairs of the Stanbury household with an efficiency that borders on severity, editing her mother's letters and managing her sister's expectations with equal bluntness. She has accepted that marriage is not for her and channels her intelligence into protecting Dorothy from their aunt's caprices and their brother's fecklessness. Her skepticism about romance and her insistence on self-respect make her the moral anchor of the Nuncombe Putney chapters. ## Relationships ### [Nora Rowley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/nora_rowley) _friendship_ Nora and Priscilla become close friends, with Priscilla supporting Nora's relationship with her brother Hugh. ### [Nora Rowley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/nora_rowley) _friendship_ Nora and Priscilla become close friends, with Priscilla supporting Nora's relationship with her brother Hugh. ### [Nora Rowley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/nora_rowley) _friendship_ Nora and Priscilla become close friends, with Priscilla supporting Nora's relationship with her brother Hugh. ## In the story ### [I Know It Will Do](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/viii-i-know-it-will-do) Expresses strong opposition to Dorothy's move, warning that she will not be able to bear Aunt Stanbury; ultimately defers to Hugh's decision. ### [Miss Stanbury’s Generosity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xii-miss-stanbury-s-generosity) Visits with her mother, is stern and disapproving, refuses the sherry offered by Miss Stanbury, and suggests Dorothy return home. ### [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) Initially doubtful about the arrangement but grows to like the company; finds Mrs. Trevelyan self-willed but enjoys intellectual conversation with Nora. ### [XVI: Dartmoor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xvi-dartmoor) Joins the excursion and talks candidly with Mrs. Trevelyan about her marriage, advising reconciliation. ### [A Gentleman Comes to Nuncombe Putney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xvii-a-gentleman-comes-to-nuncombe-putney) Expresses disapproval of the romantic entanglements and moderates her view after learning Nora refused Mr. Glascock. ### [The Stanbury Correspondence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xviii-the-stanbury-correspondence) Defends her mother in a sharp reply to Miss Stanbury, and later tries to comfort Nora Rowley. ### [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) Strongly opposes the visit, writes to her aunt and brother about it, feeling compelled to be honest. ### [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) Though not present, her letter and character are central; she is praised for her truthfulness and integrity despite the difficult situation with Colonel Osborne. ### [Niddon Park](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxiv-niddon-park) Welcomes her brother; criticizes Colonel Osborne's visit; arranges for Nora to walk alone with Hugh. ### [Hugh Stanbury Smokes His Pipe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxv-hugh-stanbury-smokes-his-pipe) Talks with Hugh about Mrs. Trevelyan's situation, expresses concern for her mother's distress, and keeps her word to make breakfast early. ### [Great Tribulation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxviii-great-tribulation) Defends her decision to inform her brother about Colonel Osborne's visit, but expresses regret for having become involved in the Trevelyans' marital troubles. ### [Mr. and Mrs. Outhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxix-mr-and-mrs-outhouse) Explains to Mrs. Trevelyan why the arrangement at the Clock House must end, and parts with them in amity. ### [Priscilla's Wisdom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxxiv-priscilla-s-wisdom) Receives Dorothy's letter and, after careful deliberation, writes back advising her sister to marry only if she can genuinely love Mr. Gibson. ### [XLIII: Laburnum Cottage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xliii-laburnum-cottage) Determined to move from the Clock House to Laburnum Cottage to avoid living beyond their means; she argues with Hugh and ultimately prevails. ### [LVII: Dorothy's Fate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lvii-dorothy-s-fate) Priscilla is referenced as a potential source of advice for Dorothy, but Dorothy decides not to consult her because Priscilla would not consider their aunt's views. ### [LVIII: Dorothy at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lviii-dorothy-at-home) Approves of Dorothy's conduct, denounces Aunt Stanbury's opening of the letter, and supports Dorothy's independence. ### [The Delivery of the Lamb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxxii-the-delivery-of-the-lamb) Present at the cottage; listens to Brooke's declaration and supports Dorothy. ### [Dorothy Returns to Exeter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxxiii-dorothy-returns-to-exeter) Mentioned as part of Dorothy's family who were carried away by Brooke's oratory. ### [Mrs. Brooke Burgess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xcvii-mrs-brooke-burgess) Dorothy's sister, who declines being a bridesmaid but stands close to Dorothy at the wedding. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xcix-conclusion) Continues to live at the cottage with her mother, which has been improved and furnished, but she remains frugal and visits Dorothy occasionally. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/priscilla_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