# Mr. Darton — Short Fiction character guide

> Mr. Darton in Short Fiction by Thomas Hardy.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Darton, Dear Mr. Darton

**First appearance:** 0002-destiny-and-a-blue-cloak

## Snapshot

A gentleman farmer whose easy charm and comfortable prospects complicate a young woman's loyalty to an absent, idealized lover.

## Who they are

Mr. Darton moves through garden and greenhouse with the air of a man who belongs wherever he stands, cutting grapes and making easy conversation. Beside him, Christine's distant Nicholas seems romantic but remote, a moonlit figure rather than a daily companion. Darton's unforced harmony with her ordinary life quietly tests which kind of love she actually wants.

## Relationships

### [Sally Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/sally_hall)

_romantic_

Mr. Darton and Sally Hall are involved in a romantic courtship, complicated by class differences.

### [Sally Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/sally_hall)

_romantic_

Mr. Darton and Sally Hall are involved in a romantic courtship, complicated by class differences.

### [Sally Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/sally_hall)

_romantic_

Mr. Darton and Sally Hall are involved in a romantic courtship, complicated by class differences.

## In the story

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/xvii)

Not present in this chapter.

### [Interlopers at the Knap](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/interlopers-at-the-knap)

Mr. Darton is involved in the romantic entanglements and social dynamics at the Knap.

### [VI: A Second Attempt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/vi-a-second-attempt)

Gertrude's husband, gloomy and silent, who fears a judgment from heaven and regrets his harsh words to his wife.

### [The Melancholy Hussar of the German Legion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/the-melancholy-hussar-of-the-german-legion)

The melancholy hussar of the German Legion who courts Phyllis and plans to elope with her.

### [Part First: Before Dinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/part-first-before-dinner)

Mentioned in the context of the dinner gathering.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/mr_darton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters