Phoebe Tozer

Clarence Copperhead

Clarence is deeply infatuated with Phoebe, pursuing her despite her mixed feelings and social maneuvering.

Reginald May

Phoebe is attracted to Reginald and hopes to marry him, though he is initially more interested in Ursula.

Phoebe Beecham

Phoebe Beecham is a kind and supportive friend to Phoebe Tozer, often acting as a confidante.

Ursula May

Phoebe and Ursula are rivals for Reginald May's love, with Phoebe ultimately winning his hand.

Mr. Northcote

Mr. Northcote is Phoebe's employer and a father figure, providing her with a position as a companion to his daughter.

Cotsdean

Cotsdean is a former employee of Phoebe's father, and later becomes involved in a financial scandal that affects her.

Clarence Copperhead

Clarence is deeply infatuated with Phoebe, pursuing her despite her mixed feelings and social maneuvering.

Reginald May

Phoebe is attracted to Reginald and hopes to marry him, though he is initially more interested in Ursula.

Clarence Copperhead

Clarence is deeply infatuated with Phoebe, pursuing her despite her mixed feelings and social maneuvering.

Reginald May

Phoebe is attracted to Reginald and hopes to marry him, though he is initially more interested in Ursula.

Phoebe Beecham

Phoebe Beecham is a kind and supportive friend to Phoebe Tozer, often acting as a confidante.

Mr. Northcote

Mr. Northcote is Phoebe's employer and a father figure, providing her with a position as a companion to his daughter.

Mr. Copperhead's Ball

Debates dress choices with her mother, insists on wearing black to look her best, and attracts Clarence Copperhead's attention.

V: Self-Devotion

Volunteers to go to Carlingford to nurse her grandmother, seeing it as a heroic duty; she is calm, composed, and determined to elevate herself above the vulgarity she expects to encounter.

XI: Phoebe’s Preparations

Mentioned as the mother of Phoebe Beecham; she prepares her daughter for the journey and adds to her wardrobe out of pride and love.

XII: Grange Lane

Arrives at her grandparents' home, struggles with the cultural shock but resolves to perform her duty with grace.

XIII: The Tozer Family

Struggles with her new environment and the realization of her family's trade, but resolves to endure and support her grandmother.

XIV: Strangers

Mentioned as the well-dressed granddaughter of old Mrs. Tozer, seen in the shop.

XVII: A Public Meeting

Reluctantly attends the meeting, dressed in a brown dress despite her grandmother's urging for something brighter; she plays the role of a fine lady and engages in clever repartee.

XIX: The New Chaplain

Meets the Mays on a walk, makes a graceful impression, and declines their invitation to visit the Parsonage.

XX: That Tozer Girl!

Phoebe is referred to as 'that Tozer girl' and 'Miss Beecham'; she is the well-dressed young lady Ursula met at the Copperhead ball, now revealed to be old Tozer's granddaughter.

XXII: A Desperate Expedient

Visits the Mays for tea, displaying serene confidence and discussing Dissent and social class; she defends both sides in the religious debate.

A Visit

Engages in a lively conversation with Reginald, showing her wit and knowledge of novels; she warns him about Mr. Northcote's approach.

Tea

Hosts the tea, manages the conversation between Reginald May and Mr. Northcote, and plays the piano.

XXVI: The Hall

Phoebe is mentioned by Ursula and Clarence as being in Carlingford to nurse her grandmother. Clarence laughs at the idea, revealing his dismissive attitude.

Ursula's Entrées

Consoles Ursula after the dinner disaster; advises her to respect her father; shows diplomatic skill and a friendly soul.

Society at the Parsonage

Admitted to the Parsonage through girlish fancy and good-nature; tolerates Clarence's fiddling and engages Ursula in private conversations that intrigue the men.

XXXI: Society

Reigns supreme in the evening, shows self-denial by staying home with her grandmother rather than skating without a chaperon; admired by Reginald for her fine feeling.

XXXII: Lovemaking

Phoebe is courted by both Reginald May and Clarence Copperhead. She coolly assesses Clarence as a 'Career' rather than a 'Passion,' and decides that if she marries him, the match must be successful despite the social gulf.

Father and Son

Skillfully parries Mr. Copperhead's jibes at luncheon, defending her presence and the Parsonage's musical evenings.

A Pleasant Evening

Anxious about Clarence's proposal but enjoys the evening with Reginald, playing the piano and skillfully avoiding his declaration.

XXXIX: A Catastrophe

Present at the parsonage; Mr. May shrinks from her gaze after his fall.

XL: The Sinned-Against

Returns home with a resolve to champion the Mays; confronts her grandfather over the forged bill.

XLI: A Morning's Work

Takes decisive action by confronting Cotsdean about the forged bill, then nurses Mr. May and accepts Clarence's proposal.

The Conflict

Feels humiliated and sidelined as Clarence and her grandfather boast about money; struggles to keep Clarence from exposing his worst side.

XLIV: Phoebe’s Last Trial

Defends her engagement to Clarence against Mr. Copperhead's threats, refuses to abandon Clarence even if he is disowned, and cites honor as her reason for staying.

XLV: The Last

Marries Clarence Copperhead; praised by Mr. Copperhead for her brains; feels a pang seeing her mother in bright colors.