Short Fiction · Character

Mrs. Miles

The autocratic mistress of Launay, whose love for her adopted Bessy collides with her dynastic plan to marry her son to a red-haired cousin.

supporting

Also known as poor Mrs. Miles, Mrs. Miles Madam, Dear Mrs. Miles, Bessy Mrs. Miles

First appearance: How Bessy Pryor Became a Young Lady of Importance

As a supporting figure in Short Fiction, Mrs. Miles is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

See Mrs. Miles in How Bessy Pryor Became a Young Lady of Importance Book page

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Mrs. Miles rules Launay and everyone in it, and the neighbourhood knows better than to cross her. She has raised Bessy as her own child and genuinely loves her, yet cannot tolerate a marriage that fails to combine the…

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See Mrs. Miles in How Bessy Pryor Became a Young Lady of Importance

Character Web

62 connections

A slice of how Mrs. Miles sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Psychological
Professional
Social
Other

Character groups

Dramatic Island Stories
Diverse Romantic & Comic Tales
Rural Romance & Family
Protagonist

+57 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Bessy Pryor’s internal struggle reaches its emotional and psychological peak as she wrestles with the conflict…

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Relationships

M. Lacordaire
psychological · negative
Bessy Pryor
professional · ambivalent
Emily Greenmantle
social · ambivalent
M. Lacordaire
psychological · negative
Emily Greenmantle
social · ambivalent
Emily Greenmantle
social · ambivalent
Bessy Pryor
professional · ambivalent
Bessy Pryor
professional · ambivalent
M. Lacordaire
psychological · negative

M. Lacordaire
M. Lacordaire exerts a manipulative, obsessive influence over Mrs. Miles, creating a dynamic of control and dependency.
Bessy Pryor
Bessy Pryor is a servant or companion to Mrs. Miles, with a relationship marked by duty and occasional warmth.
Emily Greenmantle
Emily Greenmantle and Mrs. Miles are acquaintances who move in the same social circles, with polite but superficial interactions.
M. Lacordaire
M. Lacordaire exerts a manipulative, obsessive influence over Mrs. Miles, creating a dynamic of control and dependency.
Emily Greenmantle
Emily Greenmantle and Mrs. Miles are acquaintances who move in the same social circles, with polite but superficial interactions.
Emily Greenmantle
Emily Greenmantle and Mrs. Miles are acquaintances who move in the same social circles, with polite but superficial interactions.
Bessy Pryor
Bessy Pryor is a servant or companion to Mrs. Miles, with a relationship marked by duty and occasional warmth.
Bessy Pryor
Bessy Pryor is a servant or companion to Mrs. Miles, with a relationship marked by duty and occasional warmth.
M. Lacordaire
M. Lacordaire exerts a manipulative, obsessive influence over Mrs. Miles, creating a dynamic of control and dependency.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Mrs. Miles in How Bessy Pryor Became a Young Lady of Importance

In the story

Mrs. Miles appears across 13 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

II: Love Forgives
Mrs. Johnson is referenced as the woman Mr. Dribble courts; she is identified as Mrs. Miles in the canonical list.
How Bessy Pryor Became a Young Lady of Importance
A wealthy widow obsessed with duty, she adopts Bessy as a charitable act but grows deeply attached to her despite her principles.
How Bessy Pryor Wouldn't Marry the Parson
Mrs. Miles is the matriarch who orchestrates Bessy's marriage to Mr. Morrison to preserve the Launay family's social status. She also plans to combine the Launay properties through a Cornish heiress to prevent any attachment between Philip and Bessy.
III: How Bessy Pryor Came to Love the Heir of Launay
The protective mother who tries to prevent Bessy and Philip's relationship, falls ill, and struggles to maintain control.
How Bessy Pryor Owned That She Was Engaged
Mrs. Miles is ill but recovers enough to confront her son and Bessy about the engagement, insisting Bessy give up Philip.
How Bessy Pryor Ceased to Be a Young Lady of Importance
Autocratic and determined to separate the lovers; sees it as her duty to preserve the family's honor; consults the rector about Bessy's future.
How Bessy Pryor Was to Be Banished
Mrs. Miles is the stern aunt who, despite her affection for Bessy, resolves to banish her to Normandy to prevent her marriage to Philip.
How Bessy Pryor Was Banished to Normandy
Inexorable in her decision to banish Bessy, but shows hidden affection by sending money and weeping over Bessy's letter.
How Bessy Pryor Received Two Letters from Launay
Writes a heartfelt but manipulative letter to Bessy, urging her to sacrifice her engagement for the sake of family duty.
How Bessy Pryor Answered the Two Letters, and What Came of It
Writes a stern letter urging Bessy to give up Philip, then sends a harsh one-line reply declaring enmity after Bessy refuses.
How Bessy Pryor's Lover Argued His Case
Struggles with her desire for control and her conscience, ultimately yielding to her son's plea and her love for Bessy.
How Bessy Pryor Was Brought Back, and What Then Became of Her
Struggles with her disappointment and self-blame for yielding, but ultimately welcomes Bessy with affection and gives her blessing.
Alice Dugdale
A neighbor or family friend, offering counsel and reflecting community values.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mrs. Miles unlock in the free preview.

See Mrs. Miles in How Bessy Pryor Became a Young Lady of Importance