Arabella Trefoil

Lord Rufford

Arabella relentlessly pursues Lord Rufford as a wealthy marriage prospect, while he remains evasive and uncommitted.

John Morton

Arabella initially pursues John Morton as a marriage prospect but later drops him for Lord Rufford, causing tension.

Lady Ushant

Lady Ushant is a social elder and relative who observes Arabella's manipulative behavior with disapproval.

Duchess of Omnium

Arabella uses the Duchess of Omnium as a patron and ally in her marriage schemes, with mutual manipulation.

Mounser Green

Mounser Green is Arabella's diplomatic suitor, whom she strings along as a backup while pursuing Lord Rufford.

Lord Rufford

Arabella relentlessly pursues Lord Rufford as a wealthy marriage prospect, while he remains evasive and uncommitted.

Lady Ushant

Lady Ushant is a social elder and relative who observes Arabella's manipulative behavior with disapproval.

Lord Rufford

Arabella relentlessly pursues Lord Rufford as a wealthy marriage prospect, while he remains evasive and uncommitted.

John Morton

Arabella initially pursues John Morton as a marriage prospect but later drops him for Lord Rufford, causing tension.

Mounser Green

Mounser Green is Arabella's diplomatic suitor, whom she strings along as a backup while pursuing Lord Rufford.

John Morton

Arabella initially pursues John Morton as a marriage prospect but later drops him for Lord Rufford, causing tension.

Duchess of Omnium

Arabella uses the Duchess of Omnium as a patron and ally in her marriage schemes, with mutual manipulation.

The Paragon's Party at Bragton

Expected to arrive with her mother; rumored to be engaged to John Morton.

XII: Arabella Trefoil

Introduced in detail: a tall, fair, beautiful young woman with a calculated approach to marriage. She is engaged to John Morton but deeply unhappy, viewing marriage as a duty. Her arrival at Bragton is marked by coldness and social tension.

At Bragton

Expresses her weariness with the relentless pursuit of marriage, yet remains determined to secure John Morton. She manipulates her mother and puts on a sweet facade for Morton.

Lord Rufford's Invitation

Eagerly accepts the invitation, seeing it as a chance to advance her prospects with Lord Rufford; manipulates Morton into agreeing.

XX: There Are Convenances

Struggles with her engagement to Morton while scheming to attract Lord Rufford; feels her strength fading and fears falling between two stools.

The First Evening at Rufford Hall

Arrives at Rufford Hall, is impressed by the opulence, and resolves to pursue Lord Rufford instead of John Morton.

Jemima

Arrives last to the private breakfast to maximize effect, rides with Lord Rufford during the hunt, and shows determination to impress him.

Poor Caneback

Exploits the accident to create intimacy with Lord Rufford, feigning susceptibility while strategically prolonging her stay.

The Ball

Flirts with Lord Rufford at the ball, denies engagement to John Morton, and deflects Morton's confrontation by citing legal troubles.

XXV: The Last Morning at Rufford Hall

Struggles to get a private moment with Lord Rufford; manages a brief exchange about John Morton's health; later reflects bitterly on her situation and her strategic pursuit of Lord Rufford.

Mounser Green

Referenced as Bell Trefoil; clerks gossip that Morton may have taken the Patagonia post to escape her.

The Rufford Correspondence

Crafts a strategic reply to Lord Rufford's letter, using flattery and falsehoods to maintain his interest and secure a meeting at Mistletoe.

XXXII: “It Is a Long Way”

Receives pressing letters from John Morton and a hopeful one from Lord Rufford; she delays answering Morton to keep her options open, recalling the embrace with Rufford.

Chowton Farm for Sale

Reported to be going to Mistletoe with Lord Rufford, confirming Morton's suspicions about their relationship.

Mistletoe

Arrives at Mistletoe with a desperate plan to win Lord Rufford; skillfully deflects her aunt's questions about her engagement to John Morton.

You Are So Severe

Lies to the Duchess about Lord Rufford's proposal, defies church attendance, and orchestrates a private meeting with Lord Rufford.

The Day at Peltry

Determined to secure Lord Rufford's proposal, she checks the weather, joins the hunt, and interprets his gift of a horse as an offer.

Lord Rufford Wants to See a Horse

Returns from hunting with Lord Rufford in a postchaise, insists on their engagement, and plans to pursue him after his sudden departure.

Particularly Proud of You

Determined to secure Lord Rufford as her husband, she writes him a bold letter claiming engagement and strategizes to use family pressure.

Lord Rufford Makes Up His Mind

Sends two letters to Lord Rufford, declaring their engagement to the Duchess and demanding acknowledgment.

The Dinner at the Bush

Recipient of Lord Rufford's letter denying any offer of marriage.

Miss Trefoil's Decision

Receives Lord Rufford's rejection letter, initially devastated but resolves to fight back, forcing her father to write a formal demand.

In These Days One Can't Make a Man Marry

Seeks her cousin Lord Mistletoe's help after being jilted by Lord Rufford; later receives a letter from the dying John Morton.

Lady Ushant at Bragton

Expected to arrive at Bragton the next day at John Morton's insistence.

Arabella Again at Bragton

Insists on visiting John Morton despite her ongoing pursuit of Lord Rufford; confesses her remorse and desire to marry Morton if he recovers.

LV: “I Have Told Him Everything”

Confesses her engagement to Lord Rufford to the dying John Morton, seeks forgiveness, and later resolves to confront Lord Rufford, though she ultimately decides against going to Piccadilly.

Now What Have You Got to Say?

Furious and betrayed after her father fails to force Lord Rufford to honor the supposed engagement, she declares she must help herself.

Again at Mistletoe

The subject of the family conference; the Duke defends her as 'only a bad girl' rather than 'thoroughly bad,' and the family resolves to act on her behalf.

The Success of Lady Augustus

Reluctantly submits to her mother's authority under the Duke's plan; insists she was engaged but avoids giving detailed account of events.

LXII: “We Shall Kill Each Other”

Receives a lawyer's letter about the settlement; angrily rejects the money, accuses her mother of betrayal, and writes to Lord Rufford demanding a meeting.

The Will

Arabella is left £5,000 and personal effects in John Morton's will.

The New Minister

Subject of office gossip regarding her relationships with Morton and Rufford; receives a legacy from Morton's will, including money and trinkets.

I Must Go

Rejects Lord Rufford's monetary offer and plans a vengeful journey to confront him, deceiving her hostess and relying on Mounser Green's assistance.

In the Park

Confronts Lord Rufford in the park, displaying fierce determination and rhetorical skill. She demands an explanation for his betrayal, accusing him of cowardice and manipulation by his sister.

Lord Rufford's Model Farm

Mentioned as having visited and left; discussed in terms of her engagement to John Morton and her current situation.

Benedict

Mentioned as the 'harpy' who nearly trapped Lord Rufford; her bold visit to Rufford is recalled with disdain.

Arabella's Success

Lies ill in bed after returning from Rufford, weeping over John Morton's legacy and reflecting on her past; later dresses up to attract Mounser Green.

The Wedding

Marries Mounser Green; writes to her parents and the Duke and Duchess to arrange the wedding at Mistletoe; receives a diamond ring from an anonymous friend (likely Lord Rufford) and decides to keep it.