# Lord Augustus — The American Senator character guide

> Lord Augustus in The American Senator by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Lord Augustus Trefoil, Augustus

**First appearance:** 0011-xii-arabella-trefoil

## Snapshot

Arabella's father drifts through the novel as a genial, indebted aristocrat whose chief contribution to his daughter's marriage campaign is his willingness to be managed by his wife.

## Who they are

Lord Augustus Trefoil belongs to that stratum of titled Englishmen who possess the name but not the means, and whose family arrangements are negotiated like treaties by stronger spouses. His daughter Arabella must hunt a fortune because he cannot supply one, and his passivity leaves Lady Augustus free to scheme. He matters as the quiet proof that Arabella's desperate matrimonial maneuvering is not vanity but necessity.

## In the story

### [The Rufford Correspondence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxxi-the-rufford-correspondence)

Reluctantly assists Arabella by asking the Duke of Omnium to invite her to Mistletoe.

### [Chowton Farm for Sale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxxv-chowton-farm-for-sale)

Morton speaks with him about Arabella; Lord Augustus claims ignorance of the engagement details and returns to his whist.

### [Miss Trefoil's Decision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xlix-miss-trefoil-s-decision)

Forced by Arabella to write a letter to Lord Rufford demanding an explanation; reluctant but compliant.

### [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)

Forced to confront Lord Rufford, he is reluctant, irritable, and ultimately dismissive of his daughter's claims, preferring to avoid trouble.

### [Again at Mistletoe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lx-again-at-mistletoe)

Attends the family meeting reluctantly, expresses skepticism about the plan, and uses irreverent language, offending the Duchess.

### [The Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxxvi-the-wedding)

Attends the wedding at Mistletoe for the first time in years; gives a pair of silver nutcrackers as a gift.

## Links

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