# Elza Imrey — Pimpernel and Rosemary character guide > Elza Imrey in Pimpernel and Rosemary by Baroness Orczy. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Elza, Aunt Elza, dear Aunt Elza **First appearance:** 0001-i ## Snapshot A proud Transylvanian noblewoman whose iron sense of caste and duty holds her upright even when grief threatens to break her in two. ## Who they are Elza walks through the village with head held erect after devastating news, saving her collapse for the privacy of her own hall. Her first thought is how to break the news to her husband Maurus, and she refuses Rosemary's offer to do it for her, insisting she knows exactly what to say. She forgets nothing—baths, coffee, the guests, the chef's milk rolls—because busyness is her only defense against despair, and her stoic management of the household anchors the Imrey family through crisis. ## Relationships ### [Rosemary Fowkes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/rosemary_fowkes) _friendship_ Elza is a close confidante and friend to Rosemary, often providing support and counsel. ### [Jasper Tarkington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/jasper_tarkington) _friendship_ Elza and Jasper share a friendly bond, often discussing Rosemary and supporting each other. ### [Maurus Imrey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/maurus_imrey) _family_ Elza and Maurus are siblings, sharing a close familial bond within the Imrey household. ### [Peter Blakeney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/peter_blakeney) _friendship_ Elza and Peter are friendly, with Elza often mediating between Peter and Rosemary. ### [General Naniescu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/general_naniescu) _rivalry_ Elza distrusts General Naniescu and opposes his influence over Rosemary and others. ### [Philip Imrey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/philip_imrey) _family_ Elza and Philip are siblings or close relatives, sharing a family connection. ### [Anna Heves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/anna_heves) _friendship_ Anna and Elza are close friends, often collaborating to support Rosemary. ### [Rosemary Fowkes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/rosemary_fowkes) _friendship_ Elza is a close confidante and friend to Rosemary, often providing support and counsel. ### [Rosemary Fowkes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/rosemary_fowkes) _friendship_ Elza is a close confidante and friend to Rosemary, often providing support and counsel. ### [Jasper Tarkington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/jasper_tarkington) _friendship_ Elza and Jasper share a friendly bond, often discussing Rosemary and supporting each other. ### [General Naniescu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/general_naniescu) _rivalry_ Elza distrusts General Naniescu and opposes his influence over Rosemary and others. ### [Maurus Imrey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/maurus_imrey) _family_ Elza and Maurus are siblings, sharing a close familial bond within the Imrey household. ## In the story ### [Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/prologue) Referenced as a matriarchal figure involved in the escape plans. ### [Chapter X: The Hospitality of Kis-Imre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/x) Elza is now a woman with dimmed eyes and a drooping mouth, her hair silvered at the temples; she reminds Rosemary of Mrs. Blakeney. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xi) Breaks down after Philip's release; confides in Rosemary about her struggle to save Philip's inheritance under Romanian rule. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xii) Appears outwardly calm and resigned after Philip's arrest, but shows deep sorrow and anxiety. She plans to keep Maurus quiet to protect Philip's inheritance. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xiv) Elza is the hostess at Kis-Imre. Rosemary is sent to tell her that Philip and Anna will be allowed to come home provisionally, without revealing the conditional nature of their release. Elza is not directly present in the chapter but is a key figure in the unfolding events. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xv) Overjoyed at the news of Philip and Anna's release, unaware of the underlying tensions. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xvii) Radiates happiness and plans festivities, unaware of the looming catastrophe. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xviii) Learns the truth about Philip and Anna's precarious situation; confronts Rosemary about the gypsy's prophecy and her own powerlessness. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xix) Excitedly organizing the ball but hiding her despair; Peter reveals she has a mad plan. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xx) Lighthearted after devising the escape plan; insists only Rosemary knows; tells the family the gipsy's warning. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxi) Mentioned as having discussed plans with Rosemary and Anna; her white dress is seen in the summerhouse. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxii) Described as marvellous, kind, and fussy, focusing on household affairs despite the stakes. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxiii) Placid and focused on the escape plan; fusses over the departing officers with provisions. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxiv) Maintains stoic calm during the escape, then collapses briefly; later watches with Rosemary for the motor's departure. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxv) Struggles to maintain stoicism after the failed escape; breaks down in tears but quickly composes herself to manage household duties and break the news to Maurus. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxvii) Seen after the guests depart, aged and shaken; tells Rosemary about Maurus's fit and her own helplessness, but continues to manage the household. ### [Chapter XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxviii) Referenced as someone Rosemary believes would support her stand, but Jasper challenges her to test that assumption. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxix) Presides at dinner, self-possessed and dutiful despite the strain; Rosemary intends to give her the articles to decide. ### [The Decision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxx) Bewildered by the choice she must make for her family. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxxi) Rosemary imagines Elza wrestling with a heart-wrenching decision, describing her as a pagan heroine without religious comfort. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxxii) Returns the articles to Rosemary, choosing honor and sacrifice over her son's safety. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxxvi) Has not returned from visiting Philip and Anna in Cluj and then Ujlak; her absence causes Rosemary increasing anxiety. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxxviii) Mentioned as having written to Maurus from Sót, having seen Philip and Anna, and heading to Hungary. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xl) Though not physically present, Rosemary obsessively speculates about Elza's motives, believing she may have surrendered to mother-love and colluded with Peter over the stolen articles. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xli) Mentioned as having been turned out of Kis-Imre by Peter's actions. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xliv) Waiting for Philip and Anna at Hódmezö; patient and heroic. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xlviii) Writes to Rosemary about Peter's work at Kis-Imre and expresses admiration for him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/elza_imrey - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters