# Aileen — Short Fiction character guide

> Aileen in Short Fiction by O. Henry.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the fascinating Aileen, Cornelia, Helen Grimes

**First appearance:** 0000-lord-oakhurst-s-curse

## Snapshot

A fascinating, potent woman whose charm and calculation make her the pivot of the men who circle her.

## Who they are

Known variously as Aileen, Cornelia, or Helen Grimes, she is the woman whose presence reorganizes the ambitions of everyone around her. Her allure is not passive; it is a force that men mistake for devotion and rivals mistake for weakness. She matters because the early arc of her story turns on what she wants and how far she will go to get it, before the reader learns what it costs.

## In the story

### [Confessions of a Humorist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/confessions-of-a-humorist)

Referenced as 'Louisa', the narrator's wife, whose candid conversations are exploited for material.

### [The Brief Debut of Tildy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-brief-debut-of-tildy)

The beautiful, lively waitress at Bogle's who receives constant male attention and gifts.

### [The Complete Life of John Hopkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-complete-life-of-john-hopkins)

The beautiful young lady who enlists Hopkins's help against her cousin, believing him to be a brave and chivalrous man.

### [One Thousand Dollars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/one-thousand-dollars)

Not present in this chapter.

### [The Rathskeller and the Rose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-rathskeller-and-the-rose)

Not present in this chapter.

### [The Making of a New Yorker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-making-of-a-new-yorker)

Not present in this chapter.

### [An Adjustment of Nature](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/an-adjustment-of-nature)

Not present in this chapter.

### [The Thing's the Play](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-thing-s-the-play)

Helen Barry, the central character, is a widow who rents rooms to Ramonti and a mysterious stranger, and must navigate her past and present loves.

### [The Handbook of Hymen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-handbook-of-hymen)

Not present in this chapter.

### [Calloway's Code](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/calloway-s-code)

Not directly present; the story focuses on the Enterprise staff.

### [Proof of the Pudding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/proof-of-the-pudding)

Not present in this chapter.

### [The Memento](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/the-memento)

Referred to as Rosalie Ray (and Ida Bates), the vaudeville performer who tells her story to Lynnette.

### [To Him Who Waits](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/to-him-who-waits)

Edith Carr, the woman who jilted the hermit ten years ago; she visits him seeking forgiveness and hints at wanting to reunite.

### [No Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/no-story)

Not present in this chapter.

### [A Poor Rule](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/a-poor-rule)

Not present in this chapter.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/characters/aileen
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_41_se/characters