# Mary Lamington — Mr. Standfast character guide > Mary Lamington in Mr. Standfast by John Buchan. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Miss Lamington, Miss Mary Lamington, Miss Mary **First appearance:** 0004-part-i-ii-the-village-named-morality ## Snapshot A young intelligence agent whose childlike eyes and steady nerve make her indispensable to the secret war and quietly decisive to Hannay's heart. ## Who they are Mary works inside the same shadow network as Hannay, moving between Biggleswick and the front with a composure that belies her years. She is the one who names the cost of their trade, warning that the best of them will be taken, and her presence steadies the whole confederacy. Her blend of tenderness and resolve, fussing over Peter on the train while never flinching from the work, makes her both the book's emotional anchor and one of its sharpest operatives. ## Relationships ### [Moxon Ivery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/moxon_ivery) _psychological_ Mary is manipulated and deceived by Ivery, who poses as a friend while being a German spy. ### [Launcelot Wake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/launcelot_wake) _romantic_ Launcelot is deeply in love with Mary, but his feelings are largely unrequited. ### [Peter Pienaar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/peter_pienaar) _friendship_ Mary and Peter share a warm, respectful friendship, with Peter acting as a protective older figure. ### [Richard Hannay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/richard_hannay) _romantic_ Mary and Richard are in love, with a deepening romantic relationship that grows throughout the story. ### [Abel Gresson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/abel_gresson) _psychological_ Gresson attempts to manipulate and intimidate Mary, recognizing her as a threat to his plans. ### [Moxon Ivery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/moxon_ivery) _psychological_ Mary is manipulated and deceived by Ivery, who poses as a friend while being a German spy. ### [Richard Hannay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/richard_hannay) _romantic_ Mary and Richard are in love, with a deepening romantic relationship that grows throughout the story. ### [Launcelot Wake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/launcelot_wake) _romantic_ Launcelot is deeply in love with Mary, but his feelings are largely unrequited. ### [Moxon Ivery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/moxon_ivery) _psychological_ Mary is manipulated and deceived by Ivery, who poses as a friend while being a German spy. ### [Peter Pienaar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/peter_pienaar) _friendship_ Mary and Peter share a warm, respectful friendship, with Peter acting as a protective older figure. ### [Launcelot Wake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/launcelot_wake) _romantic_ Launcelot is deeply in love with Mary, but his feelings are largely unrequited. ### [Abel Gresson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/abel_gresson) _psychological_ Gresson attempts to manipulate and intimidate Mary, recognizing her as a threat to his plans. ## In the story ### [The Reflections of a Cured Dyspeptic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-iii-the-reflections-of-a-cured-dyspeptic) Mary is seen briefly at the station with the Weekes girls, exchanging pleasantries with Ivery. ### [IV: Andrew Amos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-iv-andrew-amos) Referenced indirectly through the purple-and-white wafer token used by Amos to confirm Hannay's identity. ### [Various Doings in the West](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-v-various-doings-in-the-west) Recalled in Hannay's thoughts during his vigil on deck. ### [VI: The Skirts of the Coolin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-vi-the-skirts-of-the-coolin) Sends a message via Amos, urging Hannay to return to Vanity Fair after overcoming the Hill Difficulty. ### [I Hear of the Wild Birds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-vii-i-hear-of-the-wild-birds) Mentioned by Hannay to convince Wake of his true allegiance; her name helps seal the alliance. ### [X: The Advantages of an Air Raid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-x-the-advantages-of-an-air-raid) Hannay thinks of her and hopes to see her before returning to the Front. ### [The Valley of Humiliation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-xi-the-valley-of-humiliation) Present at the meeting, her grave look and steady eyes seem to give Hannay his marching orders. ### [The Adventure of the Picardy Château](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-ii-xiii-the-adventure-of-the-picardy-ch-teau) Found at the Château; she has been nursing nearby and investigating Bommaerts/Ivery. ### [Mr. Blenkiron Discourses on Love and War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-ii-xiv-mr-blenkiron-discourses-on-love-and-war) Dines with Hannay and Blenkiron in Paris; Blenkiron notes Ivery's infatuation with her. ### [St. Anton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-ii-xv-st-anton) Mentioned in Hannay's thoughts and in his conversation with Peter; she is the object of Hannay's love. ### [XVI: I Lie on a Hard Bed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-ii-xvi-i-lie-on-a-hard-bed) Mentioned by Ivery as captured; Hannay draws strength from Blenkiron's phrase about her: 'She can't scare and she can't soil.' ### [XVII: The Col of the Swallows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-ii-xvii-the-col-of-the-swallows) Reported to have left with Ivery voluntarily from the inn; Hannay trusts her judgment despite the dire circumstances. ### [The Underground Railway](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-ii-xviii-the-underground-railway) The central figure of the chapter; she receives a forged letter, travels to Santa Chiara, and bravely decides to accompany Ivery to Germany. ### [XIX: The Cage of the Wild Birds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-ii-xix-the-cage-of-the-wild-birds) Mentioned as a prisoner alongside Hannay; Hannay seeks her after the confrontation. ### [The Storm Breaks in the West](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-ii-xx-the-storm-breaks-in-the-west) Travels with the group; Hannay sends her to England for safety. ### [How an Exile Returned to His Own People](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-ii-xxi-how-an-exile-returned-to-his-own-people) Mentioned as being in Amiens, motivating Wake to assist Hannay. ### [The Summons Comes for Mr. Standfast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-ii-xxii-the-summons-comes-for-mr-standfast) Mary is present at Peter's grave with Hannay and Blenkiron. Hannay thinks of her with hope and love, envisioning a future peace with her. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/mary_lamington - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters