Miss Marjoribanks · Character

Barbara Lake

A handsome, sullen contralto with a magnificent voice and a grievance against fate, who becomes both Lucilla's duet partner and her most dangerous rival.

supporting

Also known as Barbara, Lake, Poor Barbara, poor Barbara, that Barbara

First appearance: iii

As a supporting figure in Miss Marjoribanks, Barbara Lake is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Visited by Lucilla, who persuades her to sing together; Barbara is ambivalent but intrigued by the social opportunity.

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Barbara is two years older than Lucilla, dark and glowing, with straight black eyebrows and a shyness that looks like scared defiance. She has never forgiven her mother for dying at the moment when she was on the threshold of Grange Lane, and she carries that injury into every room. When Lucilla offers her a place in the great duet scheme, Barbara accepts like a young soldier of fortune, ready to swallow mysteries in exchange for a chance at glory — but her ambition and her voice make her a rival as much as an ally.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Barbara Lake sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Barbara Lake in iii

Character Web

27 connections

A slice of how Barbara Lake sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Core Carlingford Society
Extended Social Circle

+22 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Mrs. Woodburn,…

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Relationships

Lucilla Marjoribanks
rivalry · negative
Barbara Lake is a jealous rival to Lucilla, competing for social status and romantic… How this plays out →
Mr. Cavendish
romantic · negative
Rose Lake
family · negative
Lucilla Marjoribanks
rivalry · negative
Barbara Lake is a jealous rival to Lucilla, competing for social status and romantic… How this plays out →
Rose Lake
family · negative
Lucilla Marjoribanks
rivalry · negative
Barbara Lake is a jealous rival to Lucilla, competing for social status and romantic… How this plays out →
Rose Lake
family · negative
Mr. Cavendish
romantic · negative
Mr. Cavendish
romantic · negative

Lucilla Marjoribanks
Barbara Lake is a jealous rival to Lucilla, competing for social status and romantic attention.
Mr. Cavendish
Barbara Lake is infatuated with Mr. Cavendish, pursuing him despite his greater interest in Lucilla.
Rose Lake
Barbara and Rose are sisters, with Barbara dominating and manipulating the gentle Rose.
Lucilla Marjoribanks
Barbara Lake is a jealous rival to Lucilla, competing for social status and romantic attention.
Rose Lake
Barbara and Rose are sisters, with Barbara dominating and manipulating the gentle Rose.
Lucilla Marjoribanks
Barbara Lake is a jealous rival to Lucilla, competing for social status and romantic attention.
Rose Lake
Barbara and Rose are sisters, with Barbara dominating and manipulating the gentle Rose.
Mr. Cavendish
Barbara Lake is infatuated with Mr. Cavendish, pursuing him despite his greater interest in Lucilla.
Mr. Cavendish
Barbara Lake is infatuated with Mr. Cavendish, pursuing him despite his greater interest in Lucilla.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Barbara Lake in iii

In the story

Barbara Lake appears across 23 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

V
Visited by Lucilla, who persuades her to sing together; Barbara is ambivalent but intrigued by the social opportunity.
The First Thursday Evening
A reluctant guest, feeling out of place and humiliated by her poverty; sits stiffly in a corner under Lucilla's watchful eye.
Chapter XI
Mentioned as the contralto Lucilla discovered; Lucilla keeps her identity somewhat mysterious.
Chapter XII
Oversteps by singing too long and monopolizing Mr. Cavendish, prompting Lucilla's intervention.
Chapter XIII
Driven by ambition and wounded pride, she procures a new dress to win back Mr. Cavendish's attention after being humiliated.
XIV
Stands in a glow of triumph at the window with Mr. Cavendish in devoted attendance, having captured his attention.
Chapter XV
Mentioned negatively by Nancy and Lucilla as 'poor Barbara' who lacks ladylike appearance.
Chapter XVI
Attempts to assert power over Mr. Cavendish by appealing to his taste in music, causing him discomfort.
Chapter XVII
Refuses to attend Lucilla's gathering due to her distress over Mr. Cavendish's departure, leading to a confrontation with Rose about pride and duty.
Chapter XVIII
Appears dejected and red-eyed after being jilted, ignored by most, and receives only a word of kindness from Lucilla.
Chapter XX
Sings for Mr. Cavendish and hopes to secure his interest; later sobs and accuses Rose of interfering.
XXI
Mentioned as the object of Mr. Cavendish's inclination; weeps over his failure to propose, feeling her hopes are dashed.
XXVI
Mentioned as having secret meetings with a man, causing Rose distress.
Chapter XXVII
Implied to be meeting Mr. Cavendish in the evenings, which Lucilla finds puzzling.
XXVIII
Hosts Lucilla with suppressed triumph; meets Mr. Cavendish under the lamp.
XXIX
Referenced as the woman Mr. Cavendish feels belongs to him, complicating his sense of honor.
Chapter XXX
Confronts Mr. Cavendish with jealous suspicion and humiliation after he admits he is going to see Lucilla; she watches him enter Mrs. Woodburn's house and calms down.
XXXI
Mentioned as the woman Mr. Cavendish will now decline upon, a fate Lucilla considers sadly beneath his capabilities.
Chapter XXXIV
Barbara Lake is mentioned as the object of Mr. Cavendish's supposed affections, according to Lucilla.
XXXVI
Gets a situation as a governess and leaves Carlingford.
XLVII
Passes Mr. Cavendish in the street and enters the Lake house; her contralto voice is heard from the window.
Chapter XLVIII
Observes the election in her tin dress, still interested in Mr. Cavendish's fate.
XLIX
Thought of by Mr. Cavendish as a potential companion abroad.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Barbara Lake unlock in the free preview.

See Barbara Lake in iii

See Barbara Lake in V