# Annabel Balch — Summer character guide

> Annabel Balch in Summer by Edith Wharton.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Annabel, Miss Balch

**First appearance:** 0005-vi

## Snapshot

The polished city girl Harney might properly marry, whose effortless belonging measures everything Charity fears she can never become.

## Who they are

Annabel Balch is the rival Charity never has to meet to feel defeated by, since she embodies the education and ease that Charity lacks. She is not a villain but a standard, the kind of wife it would be natural for a man like Harney to choose. Charity's letter urging Harney to marry her becomes the story's sharpest act of self-judgment, and Annabel's shadow shapes the novel's middle.

## Relationships

### [Charity Royall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/characters/charity_royall)

_rivalry_

Annabel is Charity's wealthy, sophisticated rival for Lucius's love, embodying the social class Charity cannot attain.

### [Lucius Harney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/characters/lucius_harney)

_romantic_

Annabel is Lucius's socially acceptable fiancée, representing the conventional match he ultimately chooses over Charity.

## In the story

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

A girl from Springfield who visits Miss Hatchard; Charity envies her blue eyes and seemingly glamorous life.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/chapters/xii)

Mentioned indirectly; Charity suspects the white satin shoes Ally provided once belonged to Annabel Balch.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/chapters/xiii)

Sits beside Harney, her smile reflecting their intimate conversation.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/chapters/xiv)

Present at the dance during Old Home Week; appears sallow and pinched to Charity, who feels triumphant in her own beauty.

### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/chapters/xv)

Revealed as Harney's fiancée; represents the kind of girl Harney would naturally marry.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/characters/annabel_balch
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/summer_se/characters