# Arabella Trefoil — The American Senator character guide > Arabella Trefoil in The American Senator by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Miss Trefoil, Bell Trefoil, the Trefoil **First appearance:** 0011-xii-arabella-trefoil ## Snapshot A beautiful, calculating young woman who has turned husband-hunting into a fine art, adapting her charm to whichever wealthy man might finally propose. ## Who they are Arabella Trefoil moves through country-house society with the practiced ease of a woman who has made marriage her profession, tailoring her manner to each eligible man she meets. At Rufford's gathering she flirts with the lord while coolly denying any entanglement with John Morton, aware that every word shapes her prospects. Her charm is genuine but strategic, and the reader watches with uneasy fascination as she works a room, knowing that her future depends on a single yes. ## Relationships ### [Lord Rufford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/lord_rufford) _romantic_ Arabella relentlessly pursues Lord Rufford as a wealthy marriage prospect, while he remains evasive and uncommitted. ### [John Morton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/john_morton) _romantic_ Arabella initially pursues John Morton as a marriage prospect but later drops him for Lord Rufford, causing tension. ### [Lady Ushant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/lady_ushant) _social_ Lady Ushant is a social elder and relative who observes Arabella's manipulative behavior with disapproval. ### [Duchess of Omnium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/duchess_of_omnium) _psychological_ Arabella uses the Duchess of Omnium as a patron and ally in her marriage schemes, with mutual manipulation. ### [Mounser Green](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/mounser_green) _professional_ Mounser Green is Arabella's diplomatic suitor, whom she strings along as a backup while pursuing Lord Rufford. ### [Lord Rufford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/lord_rufford) _romantic_ Arabella relentlessly pursues Lord Rufford as a wealthy marriage prospect, while he remains evasive and uncommitted. ### [Lady Ushant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/lady_ushant) _social_ Lady Ushant is a social elder and relative who observes Arabella's manipulative behavior with disapproval. ### [Lord Rufford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/lord_rufford) _romantic_ Arabella relentlessly pursues Lord Rufford as a wealthy marriage prospect, while he remains evasive and uncommitted. ### [John Morton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/john_morton) _romantic_ Arabella initially pursues John Morton as a marriage prospect but later drops him for Lord Rufford, causing tension. ### [Mounser Green](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/mounser_green) _professional_ Mounser Green is Arabella's diplomatic suitor, whom she strings along as a backup while pursuing Lord Rufford. ### [John Morton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/john_morton) _romantic_ Arabella initially pursues John Morton as a marriage prospect but later drops him for Lord Rufford, causing tension. ### [Duchess of Omnium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/duchess_of_omnium) _psychological_ Arabella uses the Duchess of Omnium as a patron and ally in her marriage schemes, with mutual manipulation. ## In the story ### [The Paragon's Party at Bragton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/viii-the-paragon-s-party-at-bragton) Expected to arrive with her mother; rumored to be engaged to John Morton. ### [XII: Arabella Trefoil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xiii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xvii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxiii-poor-caneback) Exploits the accident to create intimacy with Lord Rufford, feigning susceptibility while strategically prolonging her stay. ### [The Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxiv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxviii-mounser-green) Referenced as Bell Trefoil; clerks gossip that Morton may have taken the Patagonia post to escape her. ### [The Rufford Correspondence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxxi-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”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxxv-chowton-farm-for-sale) Reported to be going to Mistletoe with Lord Rufford, confirming Morton's suspicions about their relationship. ### [Mistletoe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxxvi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxxviii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxxix-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xl-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xliv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xlv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xlviii-the-dinner-at-the-bush) Recipient of Lord Rufford's letter denying any offer of marriage. ### [Miss Trefoil's Decision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xlix-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/l-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/liii-lady-ushant-at-bragton) Expected to arrive at Bragton the next day at John Morton's insistence. ### [Arabella Again at Bragton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/liv-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”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/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?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lvi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lx-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxi-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”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxiv-the-will) Arabella is left £5,000 and personal effects in John Morton's will. ### [The New Minister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxvi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxvii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxviii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxxiv-benedict) Mentioned as the 'harpy' who nearly trapped Lord Rufford; her bold visit to Rufford is recalled with disdain. ### [Arabella's Success](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxxv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxxvi-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. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/arabella_trefoil - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters