# Phyllis Grove — Short Fiction character guide

> Phyllis Grove in Short Fiction by Thomas Hardy.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Phyllis, Miss Phyllis Grove

**First appearance:** 0179-enter-a-dragoon

## Snapshot

A young woman who lets the moment of escape pass her by, then walks mechanically toward the marriage her father has always expected.

## Who they are

Phyllis stands on the hill and watches her lover's diminishing figure, one instant from rushing after him, but the courage fails her and she turns homeward instead. The next morning her father greets her triumphantly with Mr. Gould's silver-framed looking-glass, and she sees her own heavy eyes in it before putting on her bonnet to meet the man she has not chosen. Her quiet submission to the old understanding, even as grief still holds her, makes her the story's study in the cost of a single failure of nerve.

## In the story

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

Not present in this chapter.

### [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 protagonist, a lonely young woman who falls in love with a hussar and plans to elope.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/i)

The shy, secluded daughter of Dr. Grove, engaged to Humphrey Gould but growing lonely and uncertain.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/ii)

Observes and befriends the German soldier from her garden wall, learning his history and developing feelings.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/iii)

Learns her engagement to Humphrey Gould is only a half-understanding; feels free to bestow her heart elsewhere. Continues secret meetings with the Hussar, and ultimately agrees to elope with him to his homeland.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/iv)

Struggles with her resolve to elope with Tina, ultimately chooses duty over love after overhearing Humphrey Gould's words.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/v)

Receives a gift from Humphrey, hears his secret, and later witnesses the execution of her lover Matthäus Tina, collapsing in grief.

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

Introduced as a central figure in the pre-dinner social scene.

## Links

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