# Lady Augustus Trefoil — The American Senator character guide > Lady Augustus Trefoil in The American Senator by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Lady Augustus, Augustus Trefoil **First appearance:** 0011-xii-arabella-trefoil ## Snapshot Arabella's mother, a woman of determined social ambition who conducts her daughter's marriage campaign as though no bonds fettered her, and none should. ## Who they are Lady Augustus moves through Rufford Hall and Bragton with the easy assurance of a somebody, angling for a wealthy match while Lady Penwether watches her with open suspicion. Her daughter's beauty is her chief asset, and she spends it freely, but the diplomatic set already whispers that Morton took Patagonia to escape. She matters because she turns courtship into strategy, and every drawing-room she enters becomes a field of manoeuvre. ## 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 Arabella; known for her adventurous travels and matchmaking. ### [XII: Arabella Trefoil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xii-arabella-trefoil) Arrives with Arabella at Bragton. She is economical yet lives luxuriously, and her demanding behavior creates friction, especially with Mrs. Morton. She insists on seating arrangements that slight John Morton. ### [At Bragton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xiii-at-bragton) Voices her dissatisfaction with Bragton and doubts about the match, but ultimately defers to Arabella's determination. ### [Mr. Gotobed's Philanthropy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xvi-mr-gotobed-s-philanthropy) Dismisses Goarly as a 'low vulgar fellow,' inadvertently strengthening the Senator's resolve. ### [Lord Rufford's Invitation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xvii-lord-rufford-s-invitation) Supports the visit to Rufford Hall, discussing with Arabella the potential advantages of Lord Rufford's wealth and connections. ### [XX: There Are Convenances](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xx-there-are-convenances) Anxious to shake off the Bragton alliance and supports Arabella's pursuit of Lord Rufford; critical of Morton and his mother. ### [The First Evening at Rufford Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxi-the-first-evening-at-rufford-hall) Accompanies Arabella and hopes Rufford Hall might become a home for her daughter and grandchildren. ### [Poor Caneback](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxiii-poor-caneback) Advises Arabella on strategy, whispering about her daughter's susceptibility and supporting her plans. ### [XXV: The Last Morning at Rufford Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxv-the-last-morning-at-rufford-hall) Praises Rufford Hall after departure; presses Arabella for details about her progress with Lord Rufford and about John Morton. ### [The Rufford Correspondence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxxi-the-rufford-correspondence) Mentioned as being asleep (falsely) while Arabella writes her letter; she is managing their travel arrangements. ### [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) Mentioned as Arabella's mother, whom Arabella plans to join in London. ### [Particularly Proud of You](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xliv-particularly-proud-of-you) Meets Arabella in London, presses for details about Lord Rufford's proposal, but is kept at arm's length by her daughter. ### [Miss Trefoil's Decision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xlix-miss-trefoil-s-decision) Supports Arabella's plan, though reluctantly, and is dragged away from the Connop Greens' house to London. ### [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) Arabella's mother; discusses the situation with Arabella after John Morton's letter arrives. ### [Arabella Again at Bragton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/liv-arabella-again-at-bragton) Accompanies Arabella reluctantly, tries to dissuade her from the journey, and is desperate about her daughter's conduct. ### [LV: “I Have Told Him Everything”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lv-i-have-told-him-everything) Accompanies Arabella to Bragton, is horrified by her daughter's confession, and broods bitterly over her own miserable life and her daughter's ingratitude. ### [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) Pressures her husband to act and later supports Arabella, but is unable to change the outcome. ### [Again at Mistletoe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lx-again-at-mistletoe) Chosen as the messenger to confront Lord Rufford, despite being despised and disliked by the family. ### [The Success of Lady Augustus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxi-the-success-of-lady-augustus) Takes on the mission from the Duke to confront Lord Rufford; negotiates a financial settlement of £8,000 for her daughter. ### [LXII: “We Shall Kill Each Other”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxii-we-shall-kill-each-other) Returns to Marygold Place after negotiating a secret £8,000 settlement with Lord Rufford; fears telling Arabella and lies about the negotiation. ### [I Must Go](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxvi-i-must-go) Mentioned as the originator of the monetary suggestion to Lord Rufford, and as someone Arabella is determined to avoid. ### [The Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxxvi-the-wedding) Receives a dry letter from Arabella about the wedding; attends the ceremony at Mistletoe but afterward weeps bitterly, feeling her purpose in life is over. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/lady_augustus_trefoil - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters