# Lizzy Newberry — Short Fiction character guide > Lizzy Newberry in Short Fiction by Thomas Hardy. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mrs. Lizzy Newberry, Mrs. Newberry, dear Lizzy, the attractive Lizzy **First appearance:** 0011-the-distracted-preacher ## Snapshot A spirited young widow whose charm and mysterious nighttime absences turn her mild lodger, the minister, into an uneasy and increasingly captivated detective. ## Who they are Lizzy Newberry keeps her mother's house, runs her household with bustling competence, and manages her lodger Stockdale with a candour that is not without a touch of irony. She vanishes at night, sleeps through thunderous knocking, and leads the minister by lantern-light to barrels hidden beneath a church stair. Whether she is reckless, resourceful, or simply private, her evasions keep Stockdale — and the reader — guessing, and her warmth makes his growing suspicion feel like a betrayal in the making. ## Relationships ### [Mr. Stockdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/mr_stockdale) _romantic_ Lizzy and Mr. Stockdale are entangled in a romantic relationship, with Lizzy's affections often tested by social pressures. ### [Mistress Betty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/mistress_betty) _friendship_ Lizzy and Mistress Betty are close friends and confidantes, sharing secrets and supporting each other. ### [Anna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/anna) _friendship_ Anna and Lizzy are close friends, often sharing their romantic and personal struggles. ### [Mr. Stockdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/mr_stockdale) _romantic_ Lizzy and Mr. Stockdale are entangled in a romantic relationship, with Lizzy's affections often tested by social pressures. ### [Mr. Stockdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/mr_stockdale) _romantic_ Lizzy and Mr. Stockdale are entangled in a romantic relationship, with Lizzy's affections often tested by social pressures. ### [Mistress Betty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/mistress_betty) _friendship_ Lizzy and Mistress Betty are close friends and confidantes, sharing secrets and supporting each other. ### [Anna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/anna) _friendship_ Anna and Lizzy are close friends, often sharing their romantic and personal struggles. ### [Anna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/anna) _friendship_ Anna and Lizzy are close friends, often sharing their romantic and personal struggles. ### [Mistress Betty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/mistress_betty) _friendship_ Lizzy and Mistress Betty are close friends and confidantes, sharing secrets and supporting each other. ## In the story ### [The Distracted Preacher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/the-distracted-preacher) A charming widow secretly involved in smuggling, who captivates Mr. Stockdale. ### [How His Cold Was Cured](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/i-how-his-cold-was-cured) A widow who provides lodging for Stockdale; she is attentive and kind, and Stockdale becomes infatuated with her. ### [How He Saw Two Other Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/ii-how-he-saw-two-other-men) Engages in a tense conversation with the miller Owlett; agrees to be Stockdale's sweetheart but refuses to openly discourage Owlett due to smuggling obligations. ### [III: The Mysterious Greatcoat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/iii-the-mysterious-greatcoat) Exhibits erratic sleep patterns and is caught brushing a mud-splattered greatcoat, leading to Stockdale's distrust. ### [IV: At the Time of the New Moon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/iv-at-the-time-of-the-new-moon) Disguises herself in her late husband's coat and hat, leads Stockdale to the coast, and lights a signal fire for a smuggling lugger. ### [How They Went to Lulstead Cove](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/v-how-they-went-to-lulstead-cove) Leads the smuggling operation to Lulstead Cove with confidence and expertise, directing the carriers and coordinating with Owlett. ### [VI: The Great Search at Nether-Moynton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/vi-the-great-search-at-nether-moynton) Remains outwardly calm during the search, directing Stockdale and later climbing to the church tower to warn the hidden villagers about the officers' plans. ### [VII: The Walk to Warm’ell Cross and Afterwards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/vii-the-walk-to-warm-ell-cross-and-afterwards) Shows tiredness and a mood not much brighter than Stockdale's; orchestrates the village's passive resistance by removing linchpins and harness parts; leads Stockdale to the attack at Warm'ell Cross; later marries Stockdale and writes a tract using her own experience. ### [Second Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/second-night) Captain Fred Ogbourne, the Duchess's cousin, who is killed by the Duke at the trilithon. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/xvii) Not present in this chapter. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/lizzy_newberry - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters