# Ursula May — Phoebe, Junior character guide > Ursula May in Phoebe, Junior by Margaret Oliphant. **Role:** major **Also known as:** little Ursula, Miss Ursula, sweet kind Ursula **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-pastor-s-progress ## Snapshot The parsonage's gentle, overworked daughter, who befriends Phoebe before learning her name, then weeps over a friendship she is too honest to renounce. ## Who they are Ursula runs her father's household on too little money and too much anxiety, and her one bright prospect is the lively new friend from Grange Lane. When she discovers that friend is Tozer's granddaughter, she cries harder over Phoebe's humiliation than Phoebe does, and refuses Janey's calculating logic even as she dreads Mrs. Sam Hurst's smile. Her loyalty, and her father's quiet pity for her, give the novel its moral counterweight to the marriage market. ## Relationships ### [Reginald May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/reginald_may) _family_ Reginald is Ursula's father, a clergyman who is both protective and often exasperated by her romantic entanglements. ### [Janey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/janey) _family_ Janey is Ursula's younger sister, who looks up to her and is often involved in her schemes. ### [Phoebe Tozer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/phoebe_tozer) _rivalry_ Phoebe and Ursula are rivals for Reginald May's love, with Phoebe ultimately winning his hand. ### [Clarence Copperhead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/clarence_copperhead) _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) _friendship_ Phoebe Beecham and Ursula May are close friends, though Ursula's romantic rivalry with Phoebe Tozer creates some strain. ### [Cousin Sophy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/cousin_sophy) _family_ Cousin Sophy is Ursula's relative, who acts as a gossipy and meddling influence in her life. ### [Mr. Northcote](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/mr_northcote) _social_ Mr. Northcote is a family friend to the Mays, often offering Ursula advice and financial help. ### [Cousin Anne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/cousin_anne) _family_ Cousin Anne is a kind and sensible relative who supports Ursula through her romantic disappointments. ### [Reginald May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/reginald_may) _family_ Reginald is Ursula's father, a clergyman who is both protective and often exasperated by her romantic entanglements. ### [Janey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/janey) _family_ Janey is Ursula's younger sister, who looks up to her and is often involved in her schemes. ### [Reginald May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/reginald_may) _family_ Reginald is Ursula's father, a clergyman who is both protective and often exasperated by her romantic entanglements. ### [Janey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/janey) _family_ Janey is Ursula's younger sister, who looks up to her and is often involved in her schemes. ## In the story ### [Mr. Copperhead's Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/iii-mr-copperhead-s-ball) A poor relative attending with the Dorsets, dressed in white, attending her first ball with delight and anticipation. ### [IV: A Country Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/iv-a-country-party) The eldest daughter of a poor Carlingford clergyman, burdened with motherly duties at home. She is enjoying a rare holiday in London and is naive about the social maneuvering around her. ### [VI: A Morning Call](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/vi-a-morning-call) Visits the Copperheads with Cousin Anne, naively enjoying Clarence's attention and the grandeur, but feeling confused by social undercurrents. ### [Shopping](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/vii-shopping) Ursula is deeply impressed by Mrs. Copperhead's wealth and generosity, and she daydreams about marrying a rich man who could provide for her family. ### [VIII: The Dorsets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/viii-the-dorsets) Packing to return home, expresses love for London and gratitude for gifts; insists she is not thinking of marriage, but shows an innocent admiration for Sir Robert. ### [Coming Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/ix-coming-home) Returns home from London, bringing presents and news, and is struck by the disorder of the parsonage. ### [X: Papa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/x-papa) Returns from London, resolves to convince Reginald to accept a sinecure, feeling her life brightened by the prospect of his proximity and support. ### [XIV: Strangers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xiv-strangers) Returns home from London, converses with Mrs. Hurst, and later spots a mysterious gentleman and a lady with golden hair. ### [XV: A Domestic Crisis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xv-a-domestic-crisis) Recently returned home, Ursula tries to maintain household order and supports Reginald against their father's harsh words. ### [XVI: The New Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xvi-the-new-gentleman) Previously puzzled by Northcote's formal dress; her observation is recalled in this chapter. ### [XIX: The New Chaplain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xix-the-new-chaplain) Eagerly welcomes Phoebe on the walk and later discusses Reginald's new house and income. ### [XX: That Tozer Girl!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xx-that-tozer-girl) Ursula is distressed and defensive when Mrs. Hurst reveals that Miss Beecham is old Tozer's granddaughter, and she blushes at the news that Clarence Copperhead might come to the parsonage. ### [A New Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxi-a-new-friend) Torn between her desire to befriend Phoebe and societal pressure; she is relieved when her father allows the friendship. ### [XXII: A Desperate Expedient](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxii-a-desperate-expedient) Hosts the tea, pours tea for the children, and tries to soothe Phoebe's feelings about Dissent. ### [A Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxiv-a-visit) Receives her first dinner invitation to the Dorsets'; her father is unusually kind and encourages her to dress nicely. ### [XXVI: The Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxvi-the-hall) Ursula is seated next to Clarence Copperhead at dinner, feeling fluttered and later piqued by his inattention. She seeks refuge with Cousin Anne and reflects on her own foolish fancies. ### [XXVIII: The New Pupil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxviii-the-new-pupil) Present during the visit, she is anxious about the upcoming dinner party and whispers to Phoebe, expressing her nervousness. ### [Ursula's Entrées](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxix-ursula-s-entr-es) Anxious and proud of her first formal dinner; devastated by her father's criticism of the entrées she made herself. ### [Society at the Parsonage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxx-society-at-the-parsonage) Unaware of Northcote's attack on her brother; her simple friendliness and housekeeping books inspire Northcote's idealized love. ### [XXXI: Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxi-society) Develops a talent for dinners, is the magnet of attraction for Northcote, though her father does not realize it; distressed by Phoebe's absence from skating. ### [XXXII: Lovemaking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxii-lovemaking) Ursula discovers Mr. Northcote's love for her in the darkness under a laurel bush, without any declaration. She is startled, touched, and full of wonder, but does not think of a response. ### [A Disclosure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxiii-a-disclosure) Ursula is confronted by Mrs. Hurst about her association with Dissenters and later learns that Mr. Northcote was the one who attacked Reginald. She is deeply moved by her father's forgiveness and struggles with her feelings. ### [XXXIV: An Extravagance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxiv-an-extravagance) Ursula is troubled by the changes in the household, feeling lonely and anxious about returning to the old life. ### [The Millionaire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxv-the-millionaire) Prepares luncheon for Mr. Copperhead and is confused by his crude remarks about her presence. ### [Father and Son](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxvi-father-and-son) Perplexed by the tensions, she stands by Phoebe and expresses dislike for Mr. Copperhead. ### [A Pleasant Evening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxvii-a-pleasant-evening) Shy and dreamy, avoids being alone with Northcote, but is absorbed in her own romantic feelings. ### [XXXVIII: An Expedition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxviii-an-expedition) Lost in the haze of new romantic feelings, she is distracted and silent at breakfast, approving of her father's quiet demeanor. ### [XXXIX: A Catastrophe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxix-a-catastrophe) Hosts the evening; rushes downstairs after hearing the fall and leads the response. ### [XL: The Sinned-Against](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xl-the-sinned-against) Mentioned as having fallen from her position of command after getting Mr. May to bed. ### [XLI: A Morning's Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xli-a-morning-s-work) Exhausted from nursing, she is persuaded by Phoebe to rest. ### [XLII: A Great Mental Shock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xlii-a-great-mental-shock) Distraught but trusting Northcote; their betrothal is sealed in a solemn moment as she asks him to act on her behalf. ### [The Conflict](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xliii-the-conflict) Mentioned as the one Phoebe helped all night, caring for the ill Mr. May. ### [XLV: The Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xlv-the-last) Bridesmaid at the wedding; talks with Sophy Dorset about love and happiness; is engaged to marry a non-Churchman. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/ursula_may - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters