# Stella Cunningham — Sinister Street character guide > Stella Cunningham in Sinister Street by Compton Mackenzie. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Lady Stella Cunningham, Darling Stella **First appearance:** 0023-x-stella ## Snapshot Michael's sister, all dewy affection and unembarrassed ease, whose musical talent and social grace make her both his closest companion and a puzzle he can never quite solve. ## Who they are Reunited with Michael at a French pension, Stella greets him with a kiss that alarms his shy English reserve, then instantly relapses into her own shyness about introducing him to the household. She hums, arranges flowers in his room, drapes his ties over her arm, and practices three hours a day even on holiday—charm and discipline braided together. For Michael she is the first woman he loves without understanding, and her easy warmth sets the emotional standard against which he will measure everyone else. ## Relationships ### [Michael Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/characters/michael_fane) _romantic_ Michael is deeply infatuated with Stella, pursuing her with obsessive devotion despite her elusive and often dismissive behavior. ### [Mother Wadman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/characters/mother_wadman) _psychological_ Mother Wadman exerts a controlling, manipulative influence over Stella, using her as a tool in her schemes involving Michael. ### [Michael Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/characters/michael_fane) _romantic_ Michael is deeply infatuated with Stella, pursuing her with obsessive devotion despite her elusive and often dismissive behavior. ### [Michael Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/characters/michael_fane) _romantic_ Michael is deeply infatuated with Stella, pursuing her with obsessive devotion despite her elusive and often dismissive behavior. ### [Mother Wadman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/characters/mother_wadman) _psychological_ Mother Wadman exerts a controlling, manipulative influence over Stella, using her as a tool in her schemes involving Michael. ### [Mother Wadman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/characters/mother_wadman) _psychological_ Mother Wadman exerts a controlling, manipulative influence over Stella, using her as a tool in her schemes involving Michael. ## In the story ### [Sinister Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/sinister-street) Michael's close friend and confidante, representing a link to his childhood. ### [I: The New World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/i-the-new-world) Michael's sister, asleep in the night-nursery, later wakes crying at train noise. ### [II: Bittersweet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/ii-bittersweet) Michael's sister, described as peevish and beginning to show signs of becoming an intelligent companion. ### [IV: Unending Childhood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/iv-unending-childhood) Receives praise and music lessons from long-haired men; Michael envies her sleek appearance and the attention she gets. ### [The First Fairy Princess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/v-the-first-fairy-princess) Michael's sister, present during the seaside holiday; Michael arranges her future in his boasts. ### [VI: The Enchanted Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/vi-the-enchanted-palace) Mentioned as Michael's sister; her mail-cart is borrowed by Rodber; she is predicted to become a great pianist. ### [VII: Randell House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/vii-randell-house) Mentioned as someone Michael wants to show his new school cap to. ### [VIII: Siamese Stamps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/viii-siamese-stamps) Seen as affected by Michael; her company is preferred by Mrs. Fane over Michael's. ### [I: The Jacobean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/i-the-jacobean) Stella is Michael's sister, who attends a dance with him and is a potential confidant for his romantic feelings. ### [II: The Quadruple Intrigue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/ii-the-quadruple-intrigue) Goes to Germany to study music; Michael resents her opportunities and affectations. ### [Incense](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/v-incense) Mentioned as someone whose affectations and conceit Michael wishes to avoid when considering church attendance. ### [X: Stella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/x-stella) Michael's sister, aged fifteen, who has been studying in Germany; reunites with Michael in Compiègne; reveals her belief in her own genius and her mystical connection to music. ### [Eighteen Years Old](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/xviii-eighteen-years-old) Stella returns home and her piano playing fills the house; she questions Michael about Lily and challenges his concerns about propriety. ### [Parents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/xix-parents) Comforts Michael fiercely, later learns the truth about her parentage and supports her mother. ### [Music](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/xx-music) Eager to begin her concert career; insists on a debut despite mourning; successfully performs Chopin's concerto at King's Hall. ### [The First Term](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/iii-the-first-term) Stella writes to Michael about her concert success, her new studio, and her desire to move to Cheyne Walk, expressing excitement about life and art. ### [IV: Cheyne Walk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/iv-cheyne-walk) Stella supports Michael in choosing the house, plays piano in the studio, and is described as clever and intimidating to Prescott. ### [VI: Gray and Blue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/vi-gray-and-blue) Discusses Mrs. Fane's transformation with Michael, has taken a studio in Paris with Clarissa Vine, and is fascinated by painter George Ayliffe. ### [IX: The Lesson of Spain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/ix-the-lesson-of-spain) Writes to Michael from Germany about her Brahms recitals and her desire to escape London and Prescott's attentions. ### [X: Stella in Oxford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/x-stella-in-oxford) Mentioned as having performed music in Oxford; Michael discusses her behavior and deterioration in playing. ### [XIII: Plashers Mead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/xiii-plashers-mead) Returns from Vienna changed—restless, bitter, and secretive; mocks their childhood home; refuses to visit Maurice's studio; eventually breaks down in tears. ### [XV: The Last Term](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/xv-the-last-term) Invited to Commemoration with Mrs. Fane. ### [XVI: The Last Week](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/xvi-the-last-week) Confides in Michael about her love for Alan and her wish to marry him, showing a softer, more vulnerable side. ### [XVII: The Last Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/xvii-the-last-day) Waits impatiently at the Randolph; embraces Michael and expresses her affection. ### [I: Ostia Ditis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/i-ostia-ditis) Stella is Michael's sister, who arrives home with their mother while Michael is in distress. ### [III: The Café d’Orange](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/iii-the-caf-d-orange) Engaged to Alan, excitedly describes their future life as squirearchy in Huntingdonshire. ### [V: The Innermost Circle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/v-the-innermost-circle) Michael wonders how Stella and Alan are getting on at Compiègne, showing his lingering connection to her. ### [VII: The Gate of Ivory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/vii-the-gate-of-ivory) Michael's sister, who strongly disapproves of Lily and argues with Michael about the marriage, calling Lily 'flabby' and the marriage 'impossible'. ### [IX: The Gate of Horn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/ix-the-gate-of-horn) At Hardingham; brings in the first roses of the year; discusses inspiration with Michael; defends Alan against Michael's criticism. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/characters/stella_cunningham - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/characters