# Harry Vernon — Hester character guide > Harry Vernon in Hester by Margaret Oliphant. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Harry, Mr. Harry, young Harry, Poor Harry, Cousin Harry **First appearance:** 0002-i-vernon-s ## Snapshot A good-natured young Vernon kept at his desk by Catherine's favor, Harry is grateful, loyal, and quietly caught between his wife's disdain and his own reverence. ## Who they are Harry is the son of a respectable Redborough solicitor who married above himself and has never quite gotten over the promotion of being connected to Catherine Vernon — a veneration his pretty wife Ellen mocks. He defends Catherine's generosity to the Vernon pensioners even as Ellen complains that real relations are neglected, and he takes Catherine in to dinner with a rapture bordering on hysteria. His divided allegiance — to his wife's ambition and to the goddess of Redborough — makes him a quiet barometer of the family's shifting loyalties. ## Relationships ### [Hester Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/hester_vernon) _family_ Harry is Hester's brother, and their sibling relationship is affectionate but marked by rivalry and differing life paths. ### [Catherine Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/catherine_vernon) _family_ Catherine is Harry's mother, and their relationship is affectionate but often strained by Harry's rebellious nature. ### [Edward Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/edward_vernon) _family_ Edward is Harry's father, and their dynamic is marked by paternal disappointment and Harry's desire for independence. ### [John Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/john_vernon) _family_ Harry and John are brothers, with Harry often teasing or dominating the younger John. ### [Hester Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/hester_vernon) _family_ Harry is Hester's brother, and their sibling relationship is affectionate but marked by rivalry and differing life paths. ### [Hester Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/hester_vernon) _family_ Harry is Hester's brother, and their sibling relationship is affectionate but marked by rivalry and differing life paths. ### [Catherine Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/catherine_vernon) _family_ Catherine is Harry's mother, and their relationship is affectionate but often strained by Harry's rebellious nature. ### [Catherine Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/catherine_vernon) _family_ Catherine is Harry's mother, and their relationship is affectionate but often strained by Harry's rebellious nature. ### [Edward Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/edward_vernon) _family_ Edward is Harry's father, and their dynamic is marked by paternal disappointment and Harry's desire for independence. ### [John Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/john_vernon) _family_ Harry and John are brothers, with Harry often teasing or dominating the younger John. ### [Edward Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/edward_vernon) _family_ Edward is Harry's father, and their dynamic is marked by paternal disappointment and Harry's desire for independence. ### [John Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/john_vernon) _family_ Harry and John are brothers, with Harry often teasing or dominating the younger John. ## In the story ### [III: The Vernonry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/iii-the-vernonry) One of the two young men selected by Catherine to manage the bank, descended from the daughter of the great John Vernon. ### [VII: Settling Down](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/vii-settling-down) Independent and dashing; drives a phaeton with high-stepping horses and is rumored to oppose Catherine in business. ### [X: A Lover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/x-a-lover) Harry pursues Hester persistently, visiting the Vernonry frequently. He proposes to Mrs. John, expressing his desire to marry Hester and include her mother in their household. ### [XI: Mother and Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xi-mother-and-daughter) Visited Mrs. John and spoke kindly of her; his secret proposal to Hester is hinted at by Mrs. John. ### [XII: An Indignant Spectator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xii-an-indignant-spectator) Visits Mrs. John Vernon; Hester defends his honesty against Catherine's negative opinion. ### [XIII: Catherine's Opinion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xiii-catherine-s-opinion) Harry is openly courting Hester, walking to the Vernonry in his summer clothes with honest intentions. He is confident she will accept him and plans to be good to her mother. ### [XIV: Harry's View](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xiv-harry-s-view) Reveals his pragmatic, transactional view of marriage; sees Hester as a good investment for his household and social standing, and is frustrated by her delays. ### [XV: What Edward Thought](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xv-what-edward-thought) Mentioned by Edward as the likely suitor for Hester; not present in the chapter. ### [XVII: The Young and the Old](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xvii-the-young-and-the-old) Mentioned as the less capable brother who does not think for himself. ### [XIX: Confidences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xix-confidences) Mentioned as Hester's intended husband; described by Edward as having 'money and little brains.' ### [XXII: Dancing Teas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxii-dancing-teas) Mentioned as someone Hester has refused, and whom Ellen warns Hester to avoid. ### [The First of Them](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxiii-the-first-of-them) Mentioned in Edward's thoughts as a contrast—Harry never hesitated to show his devotion to Hester. ### [A Double Mind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxv-a-double-mind) Excitedly discusses the stock purchase with Algernon, but is dismissed by Edward as a naive amateur. ### [A Centre of Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxvii-a-centre-of-life) Watches Edward and Hester's volatile interactions with painful understanding, recognizing the significance of their quarrels. ### [XXVIII: Was It Love?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxviii-was-it-love) His gloom is noted as reflecting the general understanding that Edward is allotted to Hester. ### [The Party at the Grange](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxx-the-party-at-the-grange) Leads Hester about, content to take care of her, and insists on placing Mrs. John in a prominent seat. ### [A Speculator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxxii-a-speculator) Expresses concern about the dangers of speculation, citing past losses. He is steadfast and cautious, urging consideration of others. ### [Doubts and Fears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxxiv-doubts-and-fears) Harry is briefly mentioned as being in his room; Roland plans to speak with him about a football match. ### [XXXVI: In the Labyrinth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxxvi-in-the-labyrinth) Briefly mentioned as a former suitor Hester refused. ### [XXXVIII: The Crisis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-crisis) Visits Hester, unaware of the crisis; his relief at Edward's supposed return contrasts with Hester's inner turmoil. ### [Under the Holly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxxix-under-the-holly) Mentioned by Hester as saying nothing could be done at the bank until Edward came; Edward dismisses him as a fool. ### [XLI: A Night’s Vigil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xli-a-night-s-vigil) Pale and anxious after a sleepless night, he assists Catherine at the bank, humbly accepts her reproaches, and receives a secret gesture of gratitude. ### [XLII: Afterwards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xlii-afterwards) Appears in Hester's memory as having a troubled face during the night's crisis. ### [An Interruption](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xliii-an-interruption) Brings the news of Edward's flight with a lady and his probable marriage, showing concern for Hester. ### [The Settlement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xliv-the-settlement) Is to be guided by a new manager brought in to prop up the bank; he informs Catherine that Edward has escaped. ### [XLV: The End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xlv-the-end) Mentioned as a possible suitor for Hester; Catherine now speaks well of him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/harry_vernon - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters