# Clarence Copperhead — Phoebe, Junior character guide > Clarence Copperhead in Phoebe, Junior by Margaret Oliphant. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Copperhead, young Mr. Copperhead, graceful Clarence **First appearance:** 0001-ii-the-leading-member ## Snapshot A millionaire's heir with more money than sense, who prices his horse, his education, and his own charm aloud, and cannot decide which girl he is courting. ## Who they are Clarence Copperhead is the prize everyone in Carlingford is angling for, and he knows it, reciting the cost of his mare and his Oxford lodgings between mouthfuls of Phoebe's breakfast. He is genuinely sweet on both Phoebe and Ursula, weighing them like the mountain and valley sheep, and his father's plans for him hang over every flirtation. His vanity and his father's money make him the object that exposes what everyone else in the book actually wants. ## Relationships ### [Phoebe Tozer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/phoebe_tozer) _romantic_ Clarence is deeply infatuated with Phoebe, pursuing her despite her mixed feelings and social maneuvering. ### [Reginald May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/reginald_may) _rivalry_ Clarence and Reginald are romantic rivals for Phoebe Tozer's affections, leading to tension and jealousy. ### [Ursula May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/ursula_may) _social_ Clarence and Ursula are acquaintances who move in the same social circles, but share little direct interaction. ### [Sir Robert Dorset](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/sir_robert_dorset) _family_ Sir Robert Dorset is Clarence's father, a wealthy baronet who disapproves of Clarence's pursuit of Phoebe. ### [Phoebe Beecham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/phoebe_beecham) _social_ Clarence and Phoebe Beecham are acquaintances, with Phoebe often serving as a go-between for Clarence and Phoebe Tozer. ### [Phoebe Tozer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/phoebe_tozer) _romantic_ Clarence is deeply infatuated with Phoebe, pursuing her despite her mixed feelings and social maneuvering. ### [Phoebe Tozer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/phoebe_tozer) _romantic_ Clarence is deeply infatuated with Phoebe, pursuing her despite her mixed feelings and social maneuvering. ### [Reginald May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/reginald_may) _rivalry_ Clarence and Reginald are romantic rivals for Phoebe Tozer's affections, leading to tension and jealousy. ### [Sir Robert Dorset](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/sir_robert_dorset) _family_ Sir Robert Dorset is Clarence's father, a wealthy baronet who disapproves of Clarence's pursuit of Phoebe. ### [Reginald May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/reginald_may) _rivalry_ Clarence and Reginald are romantic rivals for Phoebe Tozer's affections, leading to tension and jealousy. ### [Ursula May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/ursula_may) _social_ Clarence and Ursula are acquaintances who move in the same social circles, but share little direct interaction. ### [Phoebe Beecham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/phoebe_beecham) _social_ Clarence and Phoebe Beecham are acquaintances, with Phoebe often serving as a go-between for Clarence and Phoebe Tozer. ## In the story ### [The Leading Member](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/ii-the-leading-member) The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Copperhead, a large, mild Oxford student who is useless in business but valued by his father as a costly ornament. ### [Mr. Copperhead's Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/iii-mr-copperhead-s-ball) Initially despairs at the ball but becomes a hopeless victim to Phoebe's fascinations, scarcely leaving her side. ### [IV: A Country Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/iv-a-country-party) Young Mr. Copperhead, who danced with Ursula at the ball and made a favorable impression on her, though the Dorsets dismiss him as a heavy young man. ### [VI: A Morning Call](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/vi-a-morning-call) Sits beside Ursula, flattered by her notice of his dancing, and shows a mix of pride and apology about his father's ball. ### [XI: Phoebe’s Preparations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xi-phoebe-s-preparations) Shows interest in Phoebe; his mother worries he might marry her; Phoebe refuses to give him her Carlingford address. ### [XVII: A Public Meeting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xvii-a-public-meeting) Mentioned as a young gentleman who has appeared in the cricket-field and is offered a chaplaincy sinecure, criticized by Mr. Northcote. ### [XX: That Tozer Girl!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xx-that-tozer-girl) Clarence is mentioned as having danced with Ursula twice at the ball and as a potential pupil coming to the parsonage. ### [A New Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxi-a-new-friend) Expected as a pupil at the Parsonage, causing speculation about his intentions. ### [XXII: A Desperate Expedient](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxii-a-desperate-expedient) Mentioned as a reason Mr. May permitted Ursula's acquaintance with Phoebe, out of curiosity. ### [A Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxiv-a-visit) Mentioned as the new pupil coming to stay with the Mays; described as a 'cub' and not brilliant. ### [XXVI: The Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxvi-the-hall) Clarence is the wealthy, self-satisfied pupil who views Mr. May as a mere coach and dismisses Ursula. He enjoys the gentry at the Hall and feels contempt for the 'parson'. ### [A Pair of Natural Enemies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxvii-a-pair-of-natural-enemies) Plans to invite both Reginald and Northcote to dinner for his own amusement, relishing the idea of forcing them to be civil together. ### [XXVIII: The New Pupil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxviii-the-new-pupil) Arrives as a new pupil at the parsonage, bringing Mr. Northcote; engages in lighthearted but condescending banter with the women about their limited activities. ### [Ursula's Entrées](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxix-ursula-s-entr-es) Arrives at the parsonage for dinner; asks Phoebe to play music and offers to bring his violin, showing his interest in her. ### [Society at the Parsonage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxx-society-at-the-parsonage) Acts as a heavy floating balance in the society; considers himself sweet on both girls, plays the fiddle with cheerful confidence, and is oblivious to boring others. ### [XXXI: Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxi-society) Finds it agreeable to maintain a mental possibility of marrying either Ursula or Phoebe; calls the younger children 'the kids' and is bored by Phoebe's absence from skating. ### [XXXII: Lovemaking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxii-lovemaking) Clarence is making up his mind to propose to Phoebe, driven by jealousy of Reginald May and practical considerations: she would save him trouble, coach him for parliament, and outshine others in society. ### [XXXIV: An Extravagance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxiv-an-extravagance) Clarence discusses his lavish spending with Reginald, boring him with tales of his expensive possessions. ### [The Millionaire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxv-the-millionaire) Arrives in Carlingfield and tours the town with Mr. May, insulting the College, the clergy, and the town itself. He makes crude jokes about women and boasts about his wealth. ### [The Millionaire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxv-the-millionaire) Accompanies his father and laughs at his jokes, though he earlier warned Mr. May that his father is 'queer' and likes his own way. ### [Father and Son](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxvi-father-and-son) Shows rare defiance against his father, refusing to leave Carlingford despite Mr. Copperhead's orders. ### [A Pleasant Evening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxvii-a-pleasant-evening) Absent from the evening, having gone to the Hall with his father and Sir Robert, leaving Phoebe uncertain about his intentions. ### [XXXVIII: An Expedition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxviii-an-expedition) His threatened withdrawal is the source of Mr. May's anxiety, though his dull spirit is said to be roused. ### [XXXIX: A Catastrophe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxix-a-catastrophe) Mentioned as expected back soon; Mr. May notes his affection for Phoebe. ### [XLI: A Morning's Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xli-a-morning-s-work) Arrives early to propose to Phoebe, declaring his love and disregarding his father's opposition. ### [The Conflict](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xliii-the-conflict) Proud of his proposal, boasts about expensive horses and his father's wealth; enjoys the homage from Tozer. ### [XLIV: Phoebe’s Last Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xliv-phoebe-s-last-trial) Defies his father, declares his love for Phoebe, and asserts his independence by physically embracing and kissing her. ### [XLV: The Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xlv-the-last) Brags about Phoebe's powers; gets into Parliament; his mother is sad to lose him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/clarence_copperhead - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters