# Dr. Marjoribanks — Miss Marjoribanks character guide > Dr. Marjoribanks in Miss Marjoribanks by Margaret Oliphant. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Doctor Marjoribanks, the Doctor, the old Doctor, Doctor **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot Lucilla's father, a busy Carlingford physician who keeps a remnant of a heart hidden somewhere in his physical organization and lets his daughter run everything. ## Who they are The Doctor is too occupied with his patients to waste feeling on sentiment, which makes him the ideal parent for a daughter who wants a free hand. He indulges Lucilla's schemes not from weakness but from a kind of amused detachment, and his occasional dry observations suggest he sees more of her game than he lets on. His presence gives Lucilla both the household she manages and the license to manage it, and his professional standing is the foundation on which her social authority rests. ## Relationships ### [Lucilla Marjoribanks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/characters/lucilla_marjoribanks) _family_ Dr. Marjoribanks is Lucilla's father, who indulges her ambitions while maintaining a bemused paternal authority. ### [Lucilla Marjoribanks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/characters/lucilla_marjoribanks) _family_ Dr. Marjoribanks is Lucilla's father, who indulges her ambitions while maintaining a bemused paternal authority. ### [Lucilla Marjoribanks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/characters/lucilla_marjoribanks) _family_ Dr. Marjoribanks is Lucilla's father, who indulges her ambitions while maintaining a bemused paternal authority. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/i) Lucilla's widowed father, a busy and practical man who is not given to emotional displays. He calmly insists Lucilla return to school, rejecting her offer of sacrifice. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/ii) Lucilla's father, a widower who manages well with his cook Nancy and is content with his bachelor life. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/iii) Lucilla's father, known for giving excellent dinners that spoil other men for family meals. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/iv) Reflects on Lucilla's character, trusting Nancy with the household while anticipating Lucilla's struggle for control. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/vi) Amused by Lucilla's plans but opposed to her marrying Tom; reluctantly considers refurnishing. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/vii) Acquiesces to Lucilla's plans but feels uneasy about the changes to his dinners. ### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xii) Retreats to his library during the evening, enjoying the quiet while Lucilla manages the event. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xv) Mentioned as Lucilla's father who will be invited to meet the Archdeacon. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xvi) Enjoys the vindication of his daughter's social skills and grimly notes Mr. Cavendish's lateness with his watch. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xxi) Questions Mr. Cavendish's background and financial stability; expresses confidence in Lucilla's ability to manage her own affairs. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xxvii) Fractious and disturbed after receiving a letter from Tom asking for money; later becomes unexpectedly civil to Mrs. Mortimer. ### [Chapter XXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xxx) Stops his brougham to converse with Mr. Cavendish, adding to his panic. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xxxii) Notices Lucilla's flush and asks if something is going to happen, but remains calm and professional. ### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xxxiv) Dr. Marjoribanks shows irritation with Lucilla, suspecting her of weakness regarding Mr. Cavendish. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xxxvii) Lucilla's father, who is not consulted about her political activities but remains a background presence. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xxxviii) Lucilla's father, robust and unsympathetic to Mrs. John's complaints; his political sympathies align with Mr. Cavendish. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xli) Greets Mr. Cavendish with a critical medical look and hints at his changed appearance. ### [Chapter XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xlii) Walks home from visiting Mrs. Chiley; speaks of her rheumatism and his own mortality; urges Lucilla to marry and hints at his own decline. ### [Chapter XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xliii) Dies unexpectedly; his funeral is a major event in Carlingford. ### [Chapter XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xliv) Recently deceased; his financial mismanagement leaves Lucilla with a greatly reduced income. ### [Chapter XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xlv) His death and the memory of his last words to Lucilla are mourned by both Lucilla and Nancy. ### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/li) Mentioned as having once considered buying Marchbank and as having recognized Lucilla's intelligence. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/characters/dr_marjoribanks - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/characters