# Cassandra Otway — Night and Day character guide

> Cassandra Otway in Night and Day by Virginia Woolf.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Cassandra, Otway

**First appearance:** 0010-ix

## Snapshot

A young cousin with a taste for drama and a set speech prepared, Cassandra Otway arrives at the Hilberys' and finds herself the object of a forbidden attention.

## Who they are

Cassandra comes to stay with the Hilberys and quickly becomes the focus of William Rodney's restless admiration, though he is engaged to Katharine. Earnest, inexperienced, and fond of solemn declarations, she decides she must flee rather than allow a man to behave to her that way, and her midnight confession to Katharine forces both women to see each other plainly. Her arrival is the small stone that starts the avalanche of the novel's middle chapters.

## Relationships

### [Katharine Hilbery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se/characters/katharine_hilbery)

_family_

Cassandra is Katharine's cousin, and their relationship is warm and familial, with Cassandra often seeking Katharine's guidance.

### [William Rodney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se/characters/william_rodney)

_romantic_

Cassandra becomes romantically involved with William after his engagement to Katharine ends, leading to a genuine attachment.

### [Ralph Denham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se/characters/ralph_denham)

_social_

Cassandra and Ralph are acquaintances who meet through Katharine, with no significant emotional bond.

### [Katharine Hilbery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se/characters/katharine_hilbery)

_family_

Cassandra is Katharine's cousin, and their relationship is warm and familial, with Cassandra often seeking Katharine's guidance.

### [Katharine Hilbery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se/characters/katharine_hilbery)

_family_

Cassandra is Katharine's cousin, and their relationship is warm and familial, with Cassandra often seeking Katharine's guidance.

### [William Rodney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se/characters/william_rodney)

_romantic_

Cassandra becomes romantically involved with William after his engagement to Katharine ends, leading to a genuine attachment.

### [William Rodney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se/characters/william_rodney)

_romantic_

Cassandra becomes romantically involved with William after his engagement to Katharine ends, leading to a genuine attachment.

### [Ralph Denham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se/characters/ralph_denham)

_social_

Cassandra and Ralph are acquaintances who meet through Katharine, with no significant emotional bond.

### [Ralph Denham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se/characters/ralph_denham)

_social_

Cassandra and Ralph are acquaintances who meet through Katharine, with no significant emotional bond.

## In the story

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se/chapters/xvii)

Bursts into the room with news of the carriage; known for keeping silkworms in her bedroom, which concerns her mother.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se/chapters/xxii)

Mentioned by William as having a fine taste in music and literature; he writes to her and lends her his play.

### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se/chapters/xxiv)

Mentioned through Rodney's thoughts and a letter; her personality is described as engaging, whimsical, and girlish.

### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se/chapters/xxvi)

Staying at Cheyne Walk; admires Katharine and develops a connection with William.

### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se/chapters/xxvii)

Accompanies William at the zoo, feeling womanly and ready to console him; observes Katharine and Ralph.

### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se/chapters/xxix)

Visits Katharine's room to announce her departure due to William's behavior, later overhears William's confession and accepts his love.

### [Chapter XXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se/chapters/xxx)

Plays Mozart on the piano, creating an atmosphere of beauty, and is noted as being in love with Rodney.

### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se/chapters/xxxi)

Curious and unsettled by Katharine's behavior, she tries to engage her cousin and eagerly awaits William Rodney's visit.

### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se/chapters/xxxii)

Bursts in to confirm the truth about her relationship with Rodney, shows her best side by sympathizing with William, and enjoys the music-hall with wonder.

### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se/chapters/xxxiii)

Arrives unexpectedly at the Hilbery house in distress, having missed her train and lost her luggage, and asks for help.

### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se/chapters/xxxiv)

Plays piano after dinner; mentioned as possibly still with Rodney.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se/characters/cassandra_otway
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/night_and_day_se/characters