# Barbara Lake — Miss Marjoribanks character guide > Barbara Lake in Miss Marjoribanks by Margaret Oliphant. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Barbara, Lake, Poor Barbara, poor Barbara, that Barbara **First appearance:** 0002-iii ## Snapshot 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. ## Who they are 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. ## Relationships ### [Lucilla Marjoribanks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/characters/lucilla_marjoribanks) _rivalry_ Barbara Lake is a jealous rival to Lucilla, competing for social status and romantic attention. ### [Mr. Cavendish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/characters/mr_cavendish) _romantic_ Barbara Lake is infatuated with Mr. Cavendish, pursuing him despite his greater interest in Lucilla. ### [Rose Lake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/characters/rose_lake) _family_ Barbara and Rose are sisters, with Barbara dominating and manipulating the gentle Rose. ### [Lucilla Marjoribanks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/characters/lucilla_marjoribanks) _rivalry_ Barbara Lake is a jealous rival to Lucilla, competing for social status and romantic attention. ### [Rose Lake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/characters/rose_lake) _family_ Barbara and Rose are sisters, with Barbara dominating and manipulating the gentle Rose. ### [Lucilla Marjoribanks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/characters/lucilla_marjoribanks) _rivalry_ Barbara Lake is a jealous rival to Lucilla, competing for social status and romantic attention. ### [Rose Lake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/characters/rose_lake) _family_ Barbara and Rose are sisters, with Barbara dominating and manipulating the gentle Rose. ### [Mr. Cavendish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/characters/mr_cavendish) _romantic_ Barbara Lake is infatuated with Mr. Cavendish, pursuing him despite his greater interest in Lucilla. ### [Mr. Cavendish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/characters/mr_cavendish) _romantic_ Barbara Lake is infatuated with Mr. Cavendish, pursuing him despite his greater interest in Lucilla. ## In the story ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/v) Visited by Lucilla, who persuades her to sing together; Barbara is ambivalent but intrigued by the social opportunity. ### [The First Thursday Evening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/x) A reluctant guest, feeling out of place and humiliated by her poverty; sits stiffly in a corner under Lucilla's watchful eye. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xi) Mentioned as the contralto Lucilla discovered; Lucilla keeps her identity somewhat mysterious. ### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xii) Oversteps by singing too long and monopolizing Mr. Cavendish, prompting Lucilla's intervention. ### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xiii) Driven by ambition and wounded pride, she procures a new dress to win back Mr. Cavendish's attention after being humiliated. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xiv) Stands in a glow of triumph at the window with Mr. Cavendish in devoted attendance, having captured his attention. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xv) Mentioned negatively by Nancy and Lucilla as 'poor Barbara' who lacks ladylike appearance. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xvi) Attempts to assert power over Mr. Cavendish by appealing to his taste in music, causing him discomfort. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xviii) Appears dejected and red-eyed after being jilted, ignored by most, and receives only a word of kindness from Lucilla. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xx) Sings for Mr. Cavendish and hopes to secure his interest; later sobs and accuses Rose of interfering. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xxi) Mentioned as the object of Mr. Cavendish's inclination; weeps over his failure to propose, feeling her hopes are dashed. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xxvi) Mentioned as having secret meetings with a man, causing Rose distress. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xxvii) Implied to be meeting Mr. Cavendish in the evenings, which Lucilla finds puzzling. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xxviii) Hosts Lucilla with suppressed triumph; meets Mr. Cavendish under the lamp. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xxix) Referenced as the woman Mr. Cavendish feels belongs to him, complicating his sense of honor. ### [Chapter XXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xxxi) Mentioned as the woman Mr. Cavendish will now decline upon, a fate Lucilla considers sadly beneath his capabilities. ### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xxxiv) Barbara Lake is mentioned as the object of Mr. Cavendish's supposed affections, according to Lucilla. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xxxvi) Gets a situation as a governess and leaves Carlingford. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xlvii) Passes Mr. Cavendish in the street and enters the Lake house; her contralto voice is heard from the window. ### [Chapter XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xlviii) Observes the election in her tin dress, still interested in Mr. Cavendish's fate. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xlix) Thought of by Mr. Cavendish as a potential companion abroad. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/characters/barbara_lake - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/characters