Martha Shelby

Dan Oliphant

Dan and Martha have a complicated romantic history, marked by attraction and betrayal.

Harlan Oliphant

Harlan and Martha are entangled in a passionate but destructive romantic affair.

Lena McMillan

Lena and Martha are fierce romantic rivals, each vying for Dan's attention and loyalty.

Fred Oliphant

Fred and Martha have a casual acquaintance, mostly through their connections to Dan.

Dan Oliphant

Dan and Martha have a complicated romantic history, marked by attraction and betrayal.

Dan Oliphant

Dan and Martha have a complicated romantic history, marked by attraction and betrayal.

Harlan Oliphant

Harlan and Martha are entangled in a passionate but destructive romantic affair.

Harlan Oliphant

Harlan and Martha are entangled in a passionate but destructive romantic affair.

Lena McMillan

Lena and Martha are fierce romantic rivals, each vying for Dan's attention and loyalty.

Fred Oliphant

Fred and Martha have a casual acquaintance, mostly through their connections to Dan.

Lena McMillan

Lena and Martha are fierce romantic rivals, each vying for Dan's attention and loyalty.

Fred Oliphant

Fred and Martha have a casual acquaintance, mostly through their connections to Dan.

III

Walks with Dan, teases him about his New York habits, and reacts with concealed sorrow upon learning of his engagement.

Chapter IV

Mentioned by Mrs. Savage as a more suitable match for Dan; Dan and Martha are seen walking together and parting at Mrs. Savage's gate.

VI

Defends Dan against Harlan's criticisms, tries to persuade her father to extend a streetcar line to Ornaby Addition, and challenges Harlan's beliefs.

Chapter IX

Mentioned by Dan as a fine, dependable girl; Lena immediately dislikes her and perceives her as a rival.

The Heat of the Night

Meets Dan at the fence, expresses concern about Lena's dislike of her, and overhears Lena's outburst.

Chapter XI

Mentioned by Dan as having behaved bravely in a storm on a lake, which upsets Lena.

XII

Described by Mrs. Savage as the woman Dan should have married and as someone who will never look at Harlan.

Chapter XIII

Her house is lit up with callers; she is the object of Harlan's unrequited affection and holds Dan in high regard.

XIV

Hosts Dan and Fred Oliphant, serves them coffee, listens warmly to Dan's plans, and is asked to be godmother to Dan's son.

Chapter XV

Martha is mentioned as the neighbor Dan visited and appointed as godmother, though she does not appear in the chapter.

XVI

Departs for New York and possibly Quebec and England with her father; writes a warm farewell note to the Oliphants.

XVIII

Harlan discusses Dan's success with her; she suggests that Harlan's disbelief in Dan's success is stranger than Dan's optimism.

XIX

Recently returned from Italy, defends Dan's success against Harlan's criticism, reflects on her travels and her father's independence.

XX

Returns home and finds herself slipping back into old patterns with Harlan, though she finds him irritating yet fascinating.

XXI

Returns from Italy, greets Dan cordially, warns him about rivals for Ornaby Addition, and later discusses Lena's jealousy with Harlan.

Chapter XXII

Sensitive and conflicted, Martha feels hurt by Dan's neglect but defends him to her father; she is aware of her deepening habit with Harlan and her lingering feelings for Dan.

XXIII

Martha observes the changes in Ornaby, defends Dan's efforts to preserve trees and create homes, and reflects on the passage of time.

Chapter XXIV

Shares Harlan's view on the destruction of National Avenue, though she had not previously shown interest in it.

XXV

Lena speculates that Martha still hopes to marry Dan if Lena leaves him.

Chapter XXVI

Explains to Harlan that her feelings for Dan are based on the past, not present love; enjoys mild rivalry between Harlan and George McMillan.

Chapter XXVII

Attends the symphony with Harlan, worries about Dan's business troubles, and later questions her father about bank loans.

The End of Dan Oliphant

Comforts Dan in his final moments and learns of Harlan's secret assistance.

XXXI

Harlan's wife, who insists on finding beauty in the new district and defends Dan's vision.