# Ruth Oliver — That Affair Next Door character guide > Ruth Oliver in That Affair Next Door by Anna Katharine Green. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Oliver, Miss Oliver, Ruth Oliver From Mrs. Desberger, Mrs. Desberger, a Mrs. Desberger, the good - hearted Mrs. Desberger **First appearance:** 0024-xxiii-ruth-oliver ## Snapshot A feverish, haunted woman who will not part with her shoes, her rings, or her silence — and whose past reaches further than anyone in the case suspects. ## Who they are Ruth Oliver arrives in the story as a nameless patient in a strange house, too ill to be questioned and too frightened to be undressed. She clutches her shoes because they hide her small fortune, recoils at any hand near her feet, and murmurs the Van Burnam names in her sleep. Her terror, her refined accent, and the rings she refuses to claim mark her as the mystery's living hinge — a woman whose history, once told, reframes everything the investigation thought it knew. ## Relationships ### [Amelia Butterworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/amelia_butterworth) _friendship_ Amelia and Ruth Oliver are confidantes, with Ruth often sharing information and supporting Amelia's sleuthing. ### [Amelia Butterworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/amelia_butterworth) _friendship_ Amelia and Ruth Oliver are confidantes, with Ruth often sharing information and supporting Amelia's sleuthing. ## In the story ### [Book II: The Windings of a Labyrinth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/book-ii-the-windings-of-a-labyrinth) A witness or person of interest whom Amelia meets during her inquiries. ### [XXII: A Blank Card](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxii-a-blank-card) Referred to as 'Oliver' by Mrs. Desberger; the young woman who stayed there and then left to answer an advertisement for a lady-companion. ### [XXIII: Ruth Oliver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxiii-ruth-oliver) The suspected fugitive; found asleep in her room, described as having a sweet face and eyes full of misery. ### [A House of Cards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxiv-a-house-of-cards) The patient; believed by Amelia to be Louise Van Burnam; shows terror when her shoes are touched, suggesting a scar. ### [XXV: “The Rings! Where Are the Rings?”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxv-the-rings-where-are-the-rings) The sick woman and patient; she murmurs the names 'Van Burnam,' 'Howard,' and 'Franklin,' and reacts fearfully to the click of knitting needles. ### [A Tilt with Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxvi-a-tilt-with-mr-gryce) The patient Amelia left resting; runs away from Miss Althorpe's while Amelia is out. ### [Found](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxvii-found) Feverish and disoriented; flees Miss Althorpe's house and is discovered staring into the laundry shop. ### [XXVIII: Taken Aback](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxviii-taken-aback) Identified by the Chinaman as the Mrs. James Pope who accompanied Mr. Van Burnam to Gramercy Park. ### [Book III: The Girl in Gray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/book-iii-the-girl-in-gray) A key witness or person of interest, possibly the 'girl in gray' central to the chapter. ### [The Matter as Stated by Mr. Gryce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxx-the-matter-as-stated-by-mr-gryce) Amelia recalls that Ruth Oliver uttered the name 'Franklin' during her delirium, linking her to the case. ### [XXXII: Iconoclasm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxii-iconoclasm) Identified as the woman in gray who planted the rings and is the likely murderer, hiding the rings in her knitting. ### [Known, Known, All Known.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxiii-known-known-all-known) The sick woman being questioned; she admits to being in the house and taking the rings but refuses to name the murderer. ### [Exactly Half-Past Three](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxiv-exactly-half-past-three) Recovering from fever, expresses despair and a wish to die, asks about Miss Althorpe's fiancé, and is the subject of Mr. Gryce's scheme. ### [A Ruse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxv-a-ruse) The patient; reacts with shock and fury upon seeing Howard Van Burnam in the second carriage. ### [Book IV: The End of a Great Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/book-iv-the-end-of-a-great-mystery) Witness whose testimony is crucial to the outcome. ### [The Result](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxvi-the-result) Shows intense emotion but remains silent and non-accusatory; her face reveals desperate resolution; finally speaks to request a police officer. ### [Two Weeks!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxvii-two-weeks) Demands two weeks of freedom to identify the murderer; reveals a desperate and determined nature. ### [A White Satin Gown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxviii-a-white-satin-gown) Now changed, with wrath and purpose in her eyes; buys a white satin gown and accessories, planning to attend a ball. ### [XXXIX: The Watchful Eye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xxxix-the-watchful-eye) Subject of police surveillance; exhibits extreme agitation, self-talk, and dread over a dress box; plans to attend Miss Althorpe's wedding. ### [As the Clock Struck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xl-as-the-clock-struck) Interrupts the wedding, claims to be the bridegroom's wife, and accuses him of murder. ### [XLI: Secret History](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xli-secret-history) Provides a written statement detailing her past with John Randolph and her role in the events surrounding the murder. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/ruth_oliver - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters