# Laura Lou — Hudson River Bracketed character guide > Laura Lou in Hudson River Bracketed by Edith Wharton. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Laura, Lou, Laura Lou's, Poor Laura Lou **First appearance:** 0004-i ## Snapshot Vance's young wife from back home, whose passionate eagerness to see what he sees curdles into an echo he cannot help resenting. ## Who they are Laura Lou is the girl who married Vance early, filling a thermos with coffee and swinging his hand like a schoolchild through a Hudson snowstorm, frightened of extravagance lest her mother hear. She has never thought of a snowstorm as beautiful until he tells her it is, and her compliance both touches and irritates him — she can only reflect, never originate. When illness strips her to fever and terror, she becomes the human cost of his restlessness, clinging to a husband whose mind is already elsewhere. ## Relationships ### [Vance Weston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/vance_weston) _romantic_ Laura Lou is Vance's first wife, a relationship marked by youthful passion and eventual strain as Vance's ambitions grow. ### [Upton Tracy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/upton_tracy) _friendship_ Laura Lou and Upton share a warm, platonic friendship, with Upton often acting as a protective figure for her. ### [Bunty Hayes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/bunty_hayes) _romantic_ Bunty Hayes is a suitor to Laura Lou after her separation from Vance, creating a love triangle. ### [Halo Tarrant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/halo_tarrant) _rivalry_ Halo and Laura Lou are rivals for Vance's love, though their conflict is more emotional than overtly hostile. ### [Mrs. Scrimser](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/mrs_scrimser) _psychological_ Laura Lou is manipulated and overshadowed by Mrs. Scrimser, who sees her as an obstacle in controlling Vance. ### [Vance Weston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/vance_weston) _romantic_ Laura Lou is Vance's first wife, a relationship marked by youthful passion and eventual strain as Vance's ambitions grow. ### [Vance Weston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/vance_weston) _romantic_ Laura Lou is Vance's first wife, a relationship marked by youthful passion and eventual strain as Vance's ambitions grow. ### [Halo Tarrant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/halo_tarrant) _rivalry_ Halo and Laura Lou are rivals for Vance's love, though their conflict is more emotional than overtly hostile. ### [Upton Tracy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/upton_tracy) _friendship_ Laura Lou and Upton share a warm, platonic friendship, with Upton often acting as a protective figure for her. ### [Mrs. Scrimser](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/mrs_scrimser) _psychological_ Laura Lou is manipulated and overshadowed by Mrs. Scrimser, who sees her as an obstacle in controlling Vance. ### [Upton Tracy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/upton_tracy) _friendship_ Laura Lou and Upton share a warm, platonic friendship, with Upton often acting as a protective figure for her. ### [Bunty Hayes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/bunty_hayes) _romantic_ Bunty Hayes is a suitor to Laura Lou after her separation from Vance, creating a love triangle. ## In the story ### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/book-i) Vance's love interest, whose relationship with him is central to the chapter's exploration of love and marriage. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/v) Appears flushed and animated at supper but remains inarticulate; later in the dark, she snatches the withered lilac from Vance's buttonhole, leading to a tense moment where their hands touch. ### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/book-ii) Vance's wife, whose presence and illness impact his emotional state and decisions. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/vi) Accompanies Vance and Upton to the Willows; explains the rules of Miss Lorburn's room. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/ix) Mentioned in Vance's recollection of her comment about Miss Spear's plans to travel after marriage. ### [Book III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/book-iii) Vance's wife, whose illness affects his decisions. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xii) Wants to join the trip but is left behind by Upton; Vance feels compunction about her. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xiv) Vance buys a scarf for her and later sends a flower basket, thinking of her. ### [Book IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/book-iv) Her presence and illness impact Vance's emotional state and decisions. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xvii) Vance meets her on the train; she is now grown and lovely, and he kisses her despite her apparent engagement to Bunty Hayes. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xviii) Meets Vance at the Willows, reveals her engagement to Bunty Hayes and that he is funding her education at Saint Elfrida's School. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxi) Vance's bride, who is quietly overwhelmed with happiness and exhaustion, trusting Vance completely despite the rustic honeymoon setting. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxii) Laura Lou's health is fragile; she coughs and is moved by Romeo and Juliet. She enjoys the honeymoon but remains dependent on Vance. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxiii) Returns to her mother's home, eager to learn homemaking skills, and her love for Vance is quieted by the familiar routine. ### [Book V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/book-v) Vance's wife, whose illness and presence affect his decisions. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxv) Shows signs of illness and exhaustion after the climb, yet tries to hide her fatigue. Her innocence is contrasted with Vance's deception. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxvi) Ill with fever and cough, delirious and calling for Vanny; her condition worsens as Vance tries to care for her. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxvii) Convalescing slowly from illness; unaware of Vance's financial desperation, she is pleased when he claims to have paid off Hayes. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxviii) Sends Vance to the Willows, unaware of his true purpose; Vance feels increased tenderness for her but notes she cannot share his intellectual world. ### [Chapter XXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxx) Mentioned as Vance's wife, who with Mrs. Tracy has resumed visiting the Willows on Saturdays, unaware of Vance's secret writing sessions there. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxxi) Mentioned as having received an anonymous letter about Vance; her health is failing, prompting Mrs. Tracy's proposal for divorce and a move to California. ### [Book VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/book-vi) Vance's wife, whose presence influences his domestic and emotional life. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxxii) Vance's wife; her presence limits his social life and she is jealous of his time. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxxiii) Ill and confined to their dismal boardinghouse room; her condition and the couple's poverty weigh heavily on Vance, who feels trapped by his obligations to her. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxxiv) Asleep when Vance returns, questions him the next morning, expresses jealousy of Mrs. Tarrant, and is left behind when Vance goes to the party. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxxv) Accompanies Vance to the exhibition, wearing a blue hat and amber fur coat; leaves with Mrs. Pulsifer. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxxvii) Ill with a feverish cold, confined to bed, and excited about meeting Mrs. Scrimser. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxxviii) Ill in bed at Mrs. Hubbard's; Vance and Mrs. Scrimser discuss her need for nursing and comfort. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxxix) Vance brings her money from his grandmother and briefly reflects on her helplessness and his duty to her. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xl) Mentioned as having tried to type Vance's manuscripts but stopped due to illness. ### [Book VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/book-vii) Vance's wife, whose illness and presence shape his decisions. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xlii) Rejects moving to Euphoria, longs for a home of her own, is found burning something in the stove with a distressed demeanor. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xliii) Shows naive admiration for the 'Storecraft' circular, highlighting her vulnerability and the growing rift with Vance. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xliv) Shows signs of worsening illness, too tired to get up, and the household suffers from neglect. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xlv) Terminally ill with tuberculosis, she clings to life and to Vance, fearing being taken to a sanitarium; dies after a hemorrhage. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xlvi) Recently deceased; Vance contemplates his memories of her and the impact of her death. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/laura_lou - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters