# Miss Ainley — Shirley character guide

> Miss Ainley in Shirley by Charlotte Brontë.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Poor Miss Ainley

**First appearance:** 0009-x-old-maids

## Who they are

An old, plain, and charitable spinster.

## In the story

### [Old Maids](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/x-old-maids)

A kind, selfless old maid who devotes her life to charitable works and nursing the sick. Caroline admires her goodness but finds her life dreary and loveless.

### [XIV: Shirley Seeks to Be Saved by Works](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xiv-shirley-seeks-to-be-saved-by-works)

Invited by Shirley to assist with charitable plans; present at the meeting with clergy.

### [Tomorrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xx-tomorrow)

Miss Ainley is mentioned as having sent lint and linen to aid the wounded, demonstrating her charitable nature.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/miss_ainley
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters