# Madeline Staveley — Orley Farm character guide > Madeline Staveley in Orley Farm by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Madeline, young Staveley, Staveley, aunt Madeline, poor Madeline, Miss Madeline, Whereupon Madeline **First appearance:** 0018-xix-the-staveley-family ## Snapshot Judge Staveley's beautiful, self-possessed daughter, courted by young Peregrine Orme while her quiet attention drifts toward the convalescent Felix Graham. ## Who they are Madeline is the prized daughter of Noningsby, raised amid comfort, church-going, and her mother's careful ambitions for a good marriage. She resists being managed, whether by Peregrine's impetuous suit or by her mother's horror at the Florence Nightingale reading that hints at a life beyond courtship. Her open door and unhurried talks with the injured Felix Graham quietly unsettle Lady Staveley's plans, making Madeline the still center of the novel's romantic weather. ## Relationships ### [Felix Graham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/characters/felix_graham) _romantic_ Felix Graham is deeply in love with Madeline Staveley, but their romance is complicated by his prior engagement and her family's disapproval. ### [Felix Graham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/characters/felix_graham) _romantic_ Felix Graham is deeply in love with Madeline Staveley, but their romance is complicated by his prior engagement and her family's disapproval. ### [Felix Graham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/characters/felix_graham) _romantic_ Felix Graham is deeply in love with Madeline Staveley, but their romance is complicated by his prior engagement and her family's disapproval. ## In the story ### [The Staveley Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/xix-the-staveley-family) Introduced as a beautiful and graceful young woman, the most interesting personage in the story according to the narrator. ### [Christmas at Noningsby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/xxii-christmas-at-noningsby) Assists her mother at breakfast and is the object of Peregrine Orme's unspoken affection; participates in the games. ### [Monkton Grange](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/xxviii-monkton-grange) Rides with Peregrine Orme and Felix Graham to the meet, engaging in lighthearted conversation with Graham. ### [Breaking Covert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/xxix-breaking-covert) Shows concern for Felix Graham, fetches a shawl from the carriage, and assists in his care. ### [Another Fall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/xxx-another-fall) Receives Peregrine's proposal with surprise; is cautioned by her sister about her concern for Felix Graham. ### [Footsteps in the Corridor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/xxxi-footsteps-in-the-corridor) Distressed after rejecting Peregrine Orme's proposal; struggles at dinner and later confides in her mother; shares a brief, emotional exchange with Felix Graham at his door. ### [The Angel of Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-angel-of-light) Mentioned as a contrast to Mary Snow; Graham finds his thoughts wandering to her while recovering at Noningsby. ### [Why Should He Go?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/xxxix-why-should-he-go) Pleads with her mother not to move Felix Graham from the house while he is still recovering. ### [The Gem of the Four Families](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/xlvii-the-gem-of-the-four-families) Referred to as 'the gem of the four families'; she retreats to her room to think after warnings from her brother and sister. ### [It Is Quite Impossible](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/l-it-is-quite-impossible) Confesses to her mother that she loves Felix Graham and that marrying Peregrine is 'quite impossible'; shows deep emotional distress. ### [Showing How Things Went on at Noningsby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/lii-showing-how-things-went-on-at-noningsby) Confesses her love for Felix Graham to her mother, Lady Staveley. ### [Telling All That Happened Beneath the Lamppost](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/liv-telling-all-that-happened-beneath-the-lamppost) Mentioned as the object of Felix's new love; his hope of marrying her leads him to break with Mary. ### [LVIII: Miss Staveley Declines to Eat Minced Veal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/lviii-miss-staveley-declines-to-eat-minced-veal) Resigned to a life without Felix Graham, she adopts a monastic routine and declines minced veal, prompting her mother's concern. ### [LXV: Felix Graham Returns to Noningsby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/lxv-felix-graham-returns-to-noningsby) Sits quietly stitching during the evening, aware of her father's permission for Felix to court her but struggling with her mother's reluctance. ### [The Two Judges](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/lxix-the-two-judges) Greets Felix and Augustus at Noningsby; later agrees to speak with Felix alone, though she feels she was too cold. ### [Young Lochinvar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/lxxiv-young-lochinvar) Accepts Felix Graham's proposal in the library. ### [Showing How Affairs Settled Themselves at Noningsby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/lxxx-showing-how-affairs-settled-themselves-at-noningsby) Engaged to Felix Graham; she speaks with him about staying at Noningsby and later bids farewell to Peregrine Orme. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/characters/madeline_staveley - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/characters