# Emma Ashton — Hester character guide

> Emma Ashton in Hester by Margaret Oliphant.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Emma, Ashton, the persistent Emma

**First appearance:** 0005-iv-a-first-meeting

## Snapshot

A persistent young woman with a clear eye for her own prospects, Emma Ashton has decided Reginald Merridew will speak — and has no doubt she will answer favorably.

## Who they are

Emma, thrown into Hester's company by propinquity, is refreshingly free of Hester's romantic uncertainty: she knows exactly what she wants and why, and she resents any suggestion that old Mr. Merridew might make an eldest son of Algernon at the expense of the others. Her running commentary on money, fairness, and marriage prospects gives the novel its sharpest social comedy, and her single-minded pursuit of Reginald throws Hester's own wavering self-scrutiny into relief.

## Relationships

### [Hester Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/hester_vernon)

_friendship_

Emma is Hester's close friend and confidante, offering support and companionship through personal trials.

### [Roland Ashton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/roland_ashton)

_family_

Emma is Roland's sister, and their relationship is supportive but strained by Roland's romantic entanglements.

### [Catherine Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/catherine_vernon)

_social_

Catherine and Emma are acquaintances through family connections, with polite but distant interactions.

### [Hester Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/hester_vernon)

_friendship_

Emma is Hester's close friend and confidante, offering support and companionship through personal trials.

### [Roland Ashton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/roland_ashton)

_family_

Emma is Roland's sister, and their relationship is supportive but strained by Roland's romantic entanglements.

### [Catherine Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/catherine_vernon)

_social_

Catherine and Emma are acquaintances through family connections, with polite but distant interactions.

### [Catherine Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/catherine_vernon)

_social_

Catherine and Emma are acquaintances through family connections, with polite but distant interactions.

### [Hester Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/hester_vernon)

_friendship_

Emma is Hester's close friend and confidante, offering support and companionship through personal trials.

### [Roland Ashton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/roland_ashton)

_family_

Emma is Roland's sister, and their relationship is supportive but strained by Roland's romantic entanglements.

## In the story

### [A New Competitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxiv-a-new-competitor)

Newly arrived in Redborough; openly discusses her need to marry and her 'chance' at social events; romanticizes Hester and Edward's relationship as a lovers' quarrel; determined to get an invitation to Mrs. Merridew's dance.

### [Straightforward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxvi-straightforward)

Persistently and pragmatically seeks Catherine's help to gain entry into local society, displaying a straightforward and self-interested nature.

### [A Centre of Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxvii-a-centre-of-life)

A constant visitor at the Grange, she unwittingly feeds Catherine's suspicions with scattered hints about Edward and Hester.

### [XXVIII: Was It Love?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxviii-was-it-love)

Contemplates whether Reginald Merridew will propose before she leaves, and worries about inheritance fairness in the Merridew family.

### [Christmas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxix-christmas)

Emma is present at the Christmas gathering and later travels home with Hester and the others. Hester finds Emma's monologues about Reginald Merridew tiresome and painfully reminiscent of her own situation.

### [Business and Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxxi-business-and-love)

Briefly appears at the end, complaining about her brother's lack of concern for her social life.

### [A Late Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxxiii-a-late-visitor)

Emma intercepts Hester during her morning walk, chattering about the ball and unwittingly adding to Hester's frustration.

### [Doubts and Fears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxxiv-doubts-and-fears)

Emma accompanies Hester on a walk and prattles about the dance, unaware of the underlying tensions.

### [XXXVI: In the Labyrinth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxxvi-in-the-labyrinth)

Mentioned as having a sensible view of marriage; left behind by Roland.

### [Alarms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxxvii-alarms)

Still living with the Morgans, attending dances without success; prepares to return home to Roland in June, disappointed in her prospects.

### [XLII: Afterwards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xlii-afterwards)

Mentioned as having left by the night train.

### [The Settlement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xliv-the-settlement)

Elopes with Edward Vernon; her letter to Roland explains her sudden departure and her meeting with Edward in the train.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/emma_ashton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters