Salem Chapel · Character

Mrs. Hilyard

A pale, sharp-eyed woman in a cushioned chair who watches all Carlingford and hides a grief too raw to name.

major

Also known as old Mrs. Tufton, Mrs. Tufton, Hilyard, Adelaide Tufton, sharp and strange—Adelaide Tufton, disturbed Mrs. Hilyard, cheerful little Mrs. Tufton, Tufton, Kind Mrs. Tufton

First appearance: i

As a major figure in Salem Chapel, Mrs. Hilyard is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A new parishioner living in Back Grove Street, she is a thin, dark, vivacious woman with an educated manner and a mysterious past; she engages Arthur in a sharp, ironic…

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Known to Salem as Adelaide Tufton, the invalid daughter of the old pastor, she has turned her chair into a vantage point from which nothing in Carlingford escapes her quick eye and sharper tongue. Behind the gossip and the shell of her disability lies a mother's anguish: a child who does not know her, blue eyes that belong to another woman, and a parole she struggles to keep. Her strange, urgent appeal to Mrs. Vincent plants the mystery that will shadow Arthur's ministry and pull the story toward its darker turns.

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See Mrs. Hilyard in i

Character Web

12 connections

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Relationship types

Psychological
Other

Character groups

Visitors and outsiders
Congregation and community members
Protagonist
Central scandal participants

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological nadir for Vincent, who fa…

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Relationships

Arthur Vincent
psychological · negative
Arthur Vincent
psychological · negative
Arthur Vincent
psychological · negative

Relationship notes

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See Mrs. Hilyard in i

In the story

Mrs. Hilyard appears across 28 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

II
III
III
IV
V
VI
VIII
IX
+20 more

II
A new parishioner living in Back Grove Street, she is a thin, dark, vivacious woman with an educated manner and a mysterious past; she engages Arthur in a sharp, ironic conversation.
III
Sharp-witted invalid who guesses Vincent's visit to Mrs. Hilyard and shares her scandalous backstory; shows a vindictive gleam in her eyes.
III
Discussed by Adelaide as a mysterious woman in hiding from a bad marriage; Vincent passes her house and feels chivalrous sympathy for her.
IV
Vincent asks Tozer about her; Tozer knows little except that she is a poor woman at the back of the chapel.
V
Vincent visits her; she warns him about Lady Western's dangerous charm and engages in witty theological banter.
VI
Mentioned by Lady Western as her friend living in a dreadful place; Vincent has visited her.
VIII
Stands at the back of the hall during the lecture, watching with surprise and consternation, and draws a veil over her face.
IX
Walks alone in the dark night, watches a man at Lady Western's house, and speaks cryptically about danger and transmigration.
X
Confronts Colonel Mildmay in a heated argument over custody of her child, threatening to kill him if he tries to take the girl.
XI
Seated in her room working; receives Vincent's report; forgives him for eavesdropping; discusses the Lonsdale plan; shows amusement at Vincent's shame.
XIII
Mentioned as the woman Vincent feels he has failed by not having his mother at home to receive her child.
Chapter XIV
Quickly takes control of the situation; thanks Mrs. Vincent for taking in the child; reveals Fordham's past with Alice; shows keen interest in Fordham's search for a relation.
XV
Referenced as having sent her daughter to Lonsdale for safety and having vowed to kill the man if he found the child.
Chapter XVI
Mentioned indirectly through the blue veil, which Vincent connects to her earlier message.
Chapter XVII
Visits Vincent and his mother in the early morning, speaks of God's indifference, reveals her birth name as Rachel Russell, and departs with a mysterious purpose.
XX
Appears as a 'dreadful relentless' figure dogging Colonel Mildmay's steps, described as a 'conscious Death' tracking him.
Chapter XXII
Reveals Mrs. Hilyard's story to Mrs. Vincent and questions Arthur's involvement.
Chapter XXVII
Appears unexpectedly in the Salem congregation, then calmly receives Vincent at her home.
Chapter XXVIII
Desperately reveals Colonel Mildmay's deposition exonerating Susan; pleads with Vincent for mercy and agrees to go with Lady Western.
XXXII
Attempts to leave Lady Western's house, appears haggard and terrified; reveals her child did not recognize her; gives her word of honor not to escape.
XXXV
Sits beside Lady Western in Tozer's pew, visibly restless and agitated during the sermon.
XXXV
Calls on Mrs. Vincent, explaining the state of affairs and expressing partisan support for Vincent.
The Meeting at Salem
A restless, ghastly spectator who fixes her gaze on Mrs. Vincent, divines her distress, and stealthily sits beside her, touching her gown.
Mrs. Hilyard's Confession
Confronts Mrs. Vincent on the street, confesses her tragic past and her desperate search for her child.
XXXIX
Now revealed as Mrs. Mildmay. Comes with Mr. Fordham to explain and seek Vincent's permission to leave Carlingford. She asks to see her child Alice and is granted access by Mrs. Vincent.
XLI
Remains in her padded chair knitting, questioning Vincent about Lady Western's marriage and speculating on his future.
XLI
Mentioned as Mrs. Tufton, seen at the window of Siloam Cottage, beckoning Vincent inside.
XLII
Seated in front of the minister, she takes fright for the young man and wonders at the impromptu feasting.

Chapter companion notes

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See Mrs. Hilyard in i

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