# Roland Ashton — Hester character guide > Roland Ashton in Hester by Margaret Oliphant. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Roland, young Ashton, Mr. Roland, Dear Roland **First appearance:** 0005-iv-a-first-meeting ## Snapshot A magnetic young visitor whose presence quietly rearranges Hester's feelings, leaving her unsure whether she loves him or merely loves being seen by him. ## Who they are Roland drifts through Redborough drawing rooms as the kind of guest whose attention every young woman half-expects and half-fears, and Hester finds her own mind rearranged simply by his being in the room. He is the test case she cannot stop running: if a new face can so easily displace Edward from her thoughts, what does that say about her heart? His comings and goings force Hester to examine her own motives with a discomfort that shapes the whole middle of the book. ## Relationships ### [Hester Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/hester_vernon) _romantic_ Roland is Hester's suitor and later lover, their relationship filled with passion, secrecy, and societal obstacles. ### [Edward Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/edward_vernon) _rivalry_ Edward disapproves of Roland as a suitor for Hester, viewing him as unworthy and creating conflict between them. ### [Emma Ashton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/emma_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) _rivalry_ Catherine opposes Roland's relationship with Hester, viewing him as a threat to her daughter's reputation. ### [Emma Ashton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/emma_ashton) _family_ Emma is Roland's sister, and their relationship is supportive but strained by Roland's romantic entanglements. ### [Hester Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/hester_vernon) _romantic_ Roland is Hester's suitor and later lover, their relationship filled with passion, secrecy, and societal obstacles. ### [Edward Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/edward_vernon) _rivalry_ Edward disapproves of Roland as a suitor for Hester, viewing him as unworthy and creating conflict between them. ### [Catherine Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/catherine_vernon) _rivalry_ Catherine opposes Roland's relationship with Hester, viewing him as a threat to her daughter's reputation. ### [Hester Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/hester_vernon) _romantic_ Roland is Hester's suitor and later lover, their relationship filled with passion, secrecy, and societal obstacles. ### [Edward Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/edward_vernon) _rivalry_ Edward disapproves of Roland as a suitor for Hester, viewing him as unworthy and creating conflict between them. ### [Catherine Vernon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/catherine_vernon) _rivalry_ Catherine opposes Roland's relationship with Hester, viewing him as a threat to her daughter's reputation. ### [Emma Ashton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/emma_ashton) _family_ Emma is Roland's sister, and their relationship is supportive but strained by Roland's romantic entanglements. ## In the story ### [Walks and Talks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xvi-walks-and-talks) The grandson of Captain Morgan, newly arrived; speaks softly to Hester from the shadows, suggesting she is at the beginning of her story, but is silenced by the captain's interference. ### [XVII: The Young and the Old](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xvii-the-young-and-the-old) Recently arrived at the Vernonry, praised by Catherine for his independence and good looks; Captain Morgan is suspicious of him. ### [XVIII: A Family Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xviii-a-family-party) Engages Catherine in conversation about philosophy, uses his charm to win her favor. ### [XIX: Confidences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xix-confidences) Engages Edward in conversation about business and speculation; shows curiosity about Hester; feels indignation at Edward's ingratitude toward Catherine, but is restrained by mutual interest. ### [Roland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xx-roland) Arrives with plans to win over Catherine Vernon but pivots to business opportunities; observes the household with detached amusement. ### [XXI: Warning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxi-warning) Defends his financial profession to his grandfather, promises not to harm the Vernons, and bids a tender farewell to Hester, hinting at future congratulations. ### [XXII: Dancing Teas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxii-dancing-teas) His departure marks the beginning of a new social era for Hester; she reflects on her past feelings for him, but now finds Edward more intriguing. ### [A New Competitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxiv-a-new-competitor) Mentioned as having met Emma and told her about the Vernon cousins; Emma lives with him in Redborough. ### [A Double Mind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxv-a-double-mind) The instigator of the speculative scheme, whose detailed letter pushes Edward toward a risky decision. ### [XXVIII: Was It Love?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxviii-was-it-love) Mentioned as having briefly distracted Hester from Edward, causing her to question the constancy of her feelings. ### [The Party at the Grange](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxx-the-party-at-the-grange) Arrives late at the party, receives a warm welcome from Catherine and Edward, and has previously occupied Hester's thoughts. ### [Business and Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxxi-business-and-love) Explains stock market operations to Hester, grows jealous of Edward, and attempts to flirt with Hester. ### [A Speculator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxxii-a-speculator) Advises Edward against the speculation, warning him not to risk other people's money. He is cautious and tries to dissuade Edward. ### [A Late Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxxiii-a-late-visitor) Roland is mentioned in Hester's thoughts; his remark that Edward 'lost his head' comes back to her as she pieces together Edward's situation. ### [Doubts and Fears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxxiv-doubts-and-fears) Roland is troubled by Hester's strange behavior and goes to the bank to confront Edward about his financial scheme, ultimately feeling relieved but suspicious. ### [A Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxxv-a-discovery) Chief guest at Catherine's dinner party; leaves with Edward after the party. ### [XXXVI: In the Labyrinth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxxvi-in-the-labyrinth) Departs after hinting at future intentions toward Hester, but she is indifferent and relieved by his going. ### [The Settlement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xliv-the-settlement) Hurries down to explain his role in Edward's affairs, but refrains from speaking to Catherine; reveals Emma's elopement with Edward. ### [XLV: The End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xlv-the-end) Mentioned as another possible suitor for Hester; described as having brains. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/roland_ashton - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters