# Madame Max Goesler — Phineas Redux character guide > Madame Max Goesler in Phineas Redux by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Madame Goesler, Madame, Marie Goesler, Marie **First appearance:** 0016-xvii-madame-goesler-s-story ## Snapshot A rich, clever widow whom society cannot quite place, she hides a fierce, unacknowledged passion beneath perfect composure and generous friendship. ## Who they are Madame Max Goesler has conquered London by wit, discretion, and a fortune she spends on others, becoming the old Duke of Omnium's devoted companion and Lady Glencora's particular friend. Everyone credits her with good nature and high spirit, but no one suspects her capable of reckless weeping, least of all for Phineas Finn, whose danger reduces her to hysterics she would never show the world. Her hidden love and her power to act make her the emotional hinge of the novel's central crisis. ## Relationships ### [Phineas Finn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/phineas_finn) _romantic_ Madame Max is a devoted and loyal friend to Phineas, eventually becoming his wife after a courtship marked by mutual admiration and support. ### [Lady Laura Kennedy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/lady_laura_kennedy) _psychological_ Laura is intensely jealous of Madame Max, viewing her as a rival for Phineas's affection and often expressing bitter resentment toward her. ### [Duchess of Omnium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/duchess_of_omnium) _friendship_ The Duchess and Madame Max are close friends, with the Duchess often confiding in and supporting Madame Max in social and personal matters. ### [Phineas Finn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/phineas_finn) _romantic_ Madame Max is a devoted and loyal friend to Phineas, eventually becoming his wife after a courtship marked by mutual admiration and support. ### [Lady Laura Kennedy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/lady_laura_kennedy) _psychological_ Laura is intensely jealous of Madame Max, viewing her as a rival for Phineas's affection and often expressing bitter resentment toward her. ### [Lady Laura Kennedy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/lady_laura_kennedy) _psychological_ Laura is intensely jealous of Madame Max, viewing her as a rival for Phineas's affection and often expressing bitter resentment toward her. ### [Duchess of Omnium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/duchess_of_omnium) _friendship_ The Duchess and Madame Max are close friends, with the Duchess often confiding in and supporting Madame Max in social and personal matters. ### [Phineas Finn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/phineas_finn) _romantic_ Madame Max is a devoted and loyal friend to Phineas, eventually becoming his wife after a courtship marked by mutual admiration and support. ### [Duchess of Omnium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/duchess_of_omnium) _friendship_ The Duchess and Madame Max are close friends, with the Duchess often confiding in and supporting Madame Max in social and personal matters. ## In the story ### [XIV: Trumpeton Wood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xiv-trumpeton-wood) Guest at Harrington Hall, rides to hounds, and offers to mediate by writing to Lady Glencora about the Trumpeton Wood issue; she is an old acquaintance of Phineas Finn. ### [Copperhouse Cross and Broughton Spinnies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xvi-copperhouse-cross-and-broughton-spinnies) Sits next to Phineas in the carriage, discusses the Duke's fox situation, and shows familiarity with hunting. ### [Madame Goesler's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xvii-madame-goesler-s-story) Recounts her life over the past two-and-a-half years, including her close friendship with the Duke of Omnium and Lady Glencora. ### [Spooner of Spoon Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xviii-spooner-of-spoon-hall) Present at the hunt; she rides well on the day of the run. ### [Something Out of the Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xix-something-out-of-the-way) Walks out with Phineas, leaving the Spooner drama to unfold. ### [Madame Goesler Is Sent For](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxiv-madame-goesler-is-sent-for) Summoned by telegram to Matching Priory; travels there anxiously, concerned for the Duke of Omnium. ### [XXV: “I Would Do It Now”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxv-i-would-do-it-now) Summoned to the Duke's bedside, she comforts him and is the only non-family member allowed to see him. Reflects on her decision to refuse his marriage offer. ### [The Duke's Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxvi-the-duke-s-will) The late Duke's close friend; she is left a large legacy but decides to refuse it, accepting only a small ring as a memento. ### [XXX: Regrets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxx-regrets) Reflects on her years with the old Duke, feeling they were wasted; resolves to refuse the legacy; converses with Mr. Maule and Phineas Finn; argues with the new Duke about the jewels. ### [The Duke and Duchess in Town](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxxi-the-duke-and-duchess-in-town) Visited by the Duchess, discusses politics and Phineas Finn, and is urged to visit the Duchess's home. ### [The World Becomes Cold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxxii-the-world-becomes-cold) Receives Phineas kindly, listens to his grievances, and resolves to speak to the Duchess about his situation. ### [The Conspiracy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-conspiracy) Hosts Phineas and Mrs. Bonteen; reveals her role in the conspiracy with the Duchess to advance Phineas's career. ### [XL: The Prime Minister Is Hard Pressed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xl-the-prime-minister-is-hard-pressed) Listens to Phineas's lamentations and challenges his despair, while subtly probing his feelings for Lady Laura. ### [The Second Thunderbolt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xliii-the-second-thunderbolt) Supports Phineas but rejects the scandalous reports about Lady Laura; differs with the Duchess on the matter. ### [The Quarrel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xlvi-the-quarrel) Hosts a dinner with the Duke and Duchess, Chilterns, Barrington Erle, and Mr. Maule; subtly rebuffs Mr. Maule's attentions and exchanges glances with Phineas. ### [Mr. Maule's Attempt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xlviii-mr-maule-s-attempt) Deeply distressed by news of Bonteen's murder and Phineas's peril; dismisses Mr. Maule's visit abruptly. ### [The Duchess Takes Counsel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/liv-the-duchess-takes-counsel) Joins the Duchess in consulting Mr. Low; suggests investigating Mr. Emilius's past. ### [The Meager Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lvi-the-meager-family) Visits the Meager family to gather evidence about Mr. Emilius's coat and key, paying for information and seeking to prove his guilt in the murder of Mr. Bonteen. ### [The Beginning of the Search for the Key and the Coat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lvii-the-beginning-of-the-search-for-the-key-and-the-coat) Proposes and undertakes a journey to Prague to search for a false key and a grey coat to prove Emilius's guilt, despite Mr. Wickerby's skepticism. ### [Mrs. Bonteen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lix-mrs-bonteen) Mentioned as having undertaken a mission related to Emilius's suspected wickednesses. ### [Confusion in the Court](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxiv-confusion-in-the-court) Travels to Prague to find the blacksmith who made the key, sending telegrams that cause the trial to be postponed. ### [LXV: “I Hate Her!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxv-i-hate-her) The successful rival who traveled to Prague and found the key evidence, earning glory for Phineas's deliverance. ### [The Foreign Bludgeon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxvi-the-foreign-bludgeon) Returns from Prague with the key model and blacksmith, instrumental in securing Phineas's acquittal. ### [Phineas After the Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxviii-phineas-after-the-trial) Corresponds with Phineas; offers support and invites him to visit. ### [The Duke's First Cousin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxix-the-duke-s-first-cousin) Refuses a marriage proposal from Mr. Maule senior; later agrees to the Duchess's plan to give the Duke's legacy to Adelaide Palliser. ### [I Will Not Go to Loughlinter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxx-i-will-not-go-to-loughlinter) Though not directly present, she is the object of Lady Laura's jealousy, as Laura suspects Phineas's visit to Matching is to be with her. ### [At Matching](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxxiv-at-matching) Receives Phineas's affectionate greeting at Matching Priory. ### [The Trumpeton Feud Is Settled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxxv-the-trumpeton-feud-is-settled) Present at the council of war, comments on Mr. Fothergill's fall from power. ### [Madame Goesler's Legacy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxxvi-madame-goesler-s-legacy) Decides to renounce the legacy and transfer it to Adelaide Palliser, facilitating the marriage. ### [Phineas Finn's Success](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxxvii-phineas-finn-s-success) Advises Phineas to accept office, arguing that personal feelings should not guide his political decisions; Phineas reflects on their past and his intentions toward her. ### [The Last Visit to Saulsby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxxviii-the-last-visit-to-saulsby) Mentioned as the woman Phineas intends to marry; Lady Laura expresses disapproval of her. ### [At Last—At Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxxix-at-last-at-last) Discusses Phineas's decision with him, accepts his marriage proposal, and shares the news with the Duchess. ### [LXXX: Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxxx-conclusion) Marries Phineas Finn in October, opens the house in Park Lane with great éclat. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/madame_max_goesler - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters