# Bessy Pryor — Short Fiction character guide > Bessy Pryor in Short Fiction by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Bessy, Pryor, X How Bessy Pryor **First appearance:** 0082-i-how-bessy-pryor-became-a-young-lady-of-importance ## Snapshot The penniless girl raised as daughter of Launay, who refuses to give up the young squire even when banishment to Normandy is the price. ## Who they are Bessy holds her place among the county girls only by Mrs. Miles's favour, and she knows it. When she falls in love with the heir of Launay, she is ordered to surrender him and instead answers with quiet, absolute refusal: 'When one loves, one cannot give it up.' Her stubborn loyalty to both her lover and the old woman who raised her is the moral knot the story tightens around. ## Relationships ### [Mrs. Miles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/characters/mrs_miles) _professional_ Bessy Pryor is a servant or companion to Mrs. Miles, with a relationship marked by duty and occasional warmth. ### [Philip Hughes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/characters/philip_hughes) _romantic_ Bessy Pryor and Philip Hughes are involved in a secretive, socially fraught romantic relationship. ### [Mrs. Miles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/characters/mrs_miles) _professional_ Bessy Pryor is a servant or companion to Mrs. Miles, with a relationship marked by duty and occasional warmth. ### [Philip Hughes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/characters/philip_hughes) _romantic_ Bessy Pryor and Philip Hughes are involved in a secretive, socially fraught romantic relationship. ### [Philip Hughes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/characters/philip_hughes) _romantic_ Bessy Pryor and Philip Hughes are involved in a secretive, socially fraught romantic relationship. ### [Mrs. Miles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/characters/mrs_miles) _professional_ Bessy Pryor is a servant or companion to Mrs. Miles, with a relationship marked by duty and occasional warmth. ## In the story ### [Josephine de Montmorenci](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/josephine-de-montmorenci) Not present in this chapter; included as placeholder due to canonical list requirement. ### [How Bessy Pryor Became a Young Lady of Importance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/i-how-bessy-pryor-became-a-young-lady-of-importance) An orphan adopted by Mrs. Miles; initially plain and timid, she becomes beautiful and beloved, earning a daughter-like status at Launay. ### [How Bessy Pryor Wouldn't Marry the Parson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/ii-how-bessy-pryor-wouldn-t-marry-the-parson) Bessy is the object of Mrs. Miles's matchmaking scheme. She is gentle, grateful, and resists marrying Mr. Morrison, though she does not openly defy Mrs. Miles. She rebukes Philip for his improper compliment. ### [III: How Bessy Pryor Came to Love the Heir of Launay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/iii-how-bessy-pryor-came-to-love-the-heir-of-launay) The dependent who refuses Mr. Morrison and eventually confesses her love for Philip Launay. ### [How Bessy Pryor Owned That She Was Engaged](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/iv-how-bessy-pryor-owned-that-she-was-engaged) Bessy is engaged to Philip Launay but fears the confrontation with her aunt, Mrs. Miles. She is torn between love and duty. ### [How Bessy Pryor Ceased to Be a Young Lady of Importance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/v-how-bessy-pryor-ceased-to-be-a-young-lady-of-importance) Confined to her room and forbidden to see Philip; her engagement is made public; she remains obedient but steadfast in her vow. ### [How Bessy Pryor Was to Be Banished](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/vi-how-bessy-pryor-was-to-be-banished) Bessy is the central figure, pleading with her aunt not to be sent away while steadfastly refusing to give up her love for Philip. ### [How Bessy Pryor Was Banished to Normandy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/vii-how-bessy-pryor-was-banished-to-normandy) Banished to Normandy for refusing to give up her lover Philip; remains steadfast in her love and writes a heartfelt letter to Mrs. Miles. ### [How Bessy Pryor Received Two Letters from Launay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/viii-how-bessy-pryor-received-two-letters-from-launay) Receives and wrestles with two conflicting letters from Philip Launay and Mrs. Miles, torn between love and duty. ### [How Bessy Pryor Answered the Two Letters, and What Came of It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/ix-how-bessy-pryor-answered-the-two-letters-and-what-came-of-it) Struggles with the decision to remain true to Philip despite her aunt's opposition; writes letters to both, then endures a month of silence. ### [How Bessy Pryor's Lover Argued His Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/x-how-bessy-pryor-s-lover-argued-his-case) Though not present in the chapter, she is the subject of the conflict; her letter refusing Mrs. Miles's command triggers the crisis. ### [How Bessy Pryor Received Her Lover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/xi-how-bessy-pryor-received-her-lover) Overjoyed by Philip's arrival and the news of her aunt's consent to their marriage. ### [How Bessy Pryor Was Brought Back, and What Then Became of Her](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/xii-how-bessy-pryor-was-brought-back-and-what-then-became-of-her) Returns to Launay as Philip's betrothed, reassures Mrs. Miles of her love, and marries Philip by autumn. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/characters/bessy_pryor - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/characters