# Lady Penwether — The American Senator character guide

> Lady Penwether in The American Senator by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Benedict Lady Penwether

**First appearance:** 0020-xxi-the-first-evening-at-rufford-hall

## Snapshot

Lord Rufford's sharp-eyed sister watches Arabella Trefoil circle her brother and decides, with exquisite politeness, to do something about it.

## Who they are

Lady Penwether moves through Rufford Hall with the easy authority of a woman who knows everyone worth knowing and every secret worth keeping. She wants her brother married, but not to a penniless schemer, and her smiling interrogation of John Morton is a masterclass in social pressure. She matters because she is the first to see clearly what Arabella is doing, and her quiet opposition raises the stakes of the courtship game.

## In the story

### [Poor Caneback](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxiii-poor-caneback)

Whispers to Lord Rufford that Arabella is 'very clever,' expressing skepticism about her motives.

### [The Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxiv-the-ball)

As hostess, arranges the dances and questions John Morton about his rumored engagement to Arabella, suspecting the truth.

### [XXV: The Last Morning at Rufford Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxv-the-last-morning-at-rufford-hall)

Leads the criticism of the Trefoils after their departure, calling Lady Augustus disagreeable and Arabella self-sufficient.

### [In the Park](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxvii-in-the-park)

Attempts to prevent Arabella from reaching Lord Rufford, but is brushed aside. She represents the family opposition that influenced Lord Rufford's decision.

### [Lord Rufford's Model Farm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxviii-lord-rufford-s-model-farm)

Uncomfortable with the Senator's questions about Miss Trefoil; shows disapproval of Arabella.

### [Benedict](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxxiv-benedict)

Schemes to marry her brother Lord Rufford to Miss Penge, flattering and manipulating him after Arabella's visit.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/lady_penwether
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters