# Lord Rufford — The American Senator character guide > Lord Rufford in The American Senator by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** the Rufford, Rufford **First appearance:** 0016-xvii-lord-rufford-s-invitation ## Snapshot A wealthy, easygoing nobleman who enjoys being pursued but dreads being caught, and whose careless dealings with a tenant farmer ignite a public quarrel. ## Who they are Lord Rufford is the county's most eligible bachelor, charming, indolent, and acutely sensitive to any hint that a woman is choosing him rather than the reverse. His dispute with the tenant Goarly over a poisoned fox draws him into a legal and political storm that the American Senator eagerly inflames. Meanwhile Arabella Trefoil circles him, and his casual gallantry threatens to entangle him far more than he intends. ## Relationships ### [Arabella Trefoil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/arabella_trefoil) _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 acquainted with Lord Rufford through the local gentry and disapproves of his dalliance with Arabella. ### [Duchess of Omnium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/duchess_of_omnium) _social_ The Duchess of Omnium is a powerful socialite who schemes to help Arabella trap Lord Rufford into marriage. ### [John Morton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/john_morton) _social_ John Morton and Lord Rufford are neighboring landowners with polite but strained social relations. ### [Arabella Trefoil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/arabella_trefoil) _romantic_ Arabella relentlessly pursues Lord Rufford as a wealthy marriage prospect, while he remains evasive and uncommitted. ### [Duchess of Omnium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/duchess_of_omnium) _social_ The Duchess of Omnium is a powerful socialite who schemes to help Arabella trap Lord Rufford into marriage. ### [Lady Ushant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/lady_ushant) _social_ Lady Ushant is acquainted with Lord Rufford through the local gentry and disapproves of his dalliance with Arabella. ### [Arabella Trefoil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/arabella_trefoil) _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 acquainted with Lord Rufford through the local gentry and disapproves of his dalliance with Arabella. ### [Duchess of Omnium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/duchess_of_omnium) _social_ The Duchess of Omnium is a powerful socialite who schemes to help Arabella trap Lord Rufford into marriage. ### [John Morton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/john_morton) _social_ John Morton and Lord Rufford are neighboring landowners with polite but strained social relations. ### [John Morton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/john_morton) _social_ John Morton and Lord Rufford are neighboring landowners with polite but strained social relations. ## In the story ### [I: Dillsborough](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/i-dillsborough) Greatest and richest landowner around Dillsborough; lives away from the town and is known for his love of sport. ### [The Old Kennels](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/ix-the-old-kennels) Greets Morton at the meet, offers a horse to the Senator, and persuades the Master to draw Bragton spinnies. ### [Goarly's Revenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/x-goarly-s-revenge) Observes the dead fox in silence, intervenes to prevent Larry Twentyman from attacking Goarly, and defends his estate and the county's reputation. ### [From Impington Gorse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xi-from-impington-gorse) Rides a big chestnut horse, engages in lighthearted teasing with Kate Masters, and is a skilled hunter. ### [XIV: The Dillsborough Feud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xiv-the-dillsborough-feud) The lord whose pheasants are at the center of the dispute; he is angry about the poison and seeks the culprit. ### [XIX: “Who Valued the Geese?”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xix-who-valued-the-geese) The wealthy magnate whose game has allegedly damaged Goarly's crops; his steward instructs Mr. Masters to act on his behalf. ### [XX: There Are Convenances](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xx-there-are-convenances) Hosts the party at Rufford Hall; has whispered words to Arabella in town and renews acquaintance, but she suspects he is only amusing himself. ### [The First Evening at Rufford Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxi-the-first-evening-at-rufford-hall) Hosts the party, flirts with Arabella, and discusses the Goarly affair with the guests. ### [Jemima](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxii-jemima) Hosts the hunt, offers Arabella a choice of horses, and rides with her, showing attentiveness and charm. ### [Poor Caneback](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxiii-poor-caneback) Disturbed by the accident, he consults Arabella about the ball and regrets the mare's presence in his stables. ### [The Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxiv-the-ball) Dances with Arabella, flirts with her, and offers to send her news about Major Caneback's condition. ### [XXV: The Last Morning at Rufford Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxv-the-last-morning-at-rufford-hall) Dismisses Senator Gotobed's concerns about Goarly; exchanges brief words with Arabella before her departure; later jokes about being rescued from Arabella. ### [The Rufford Correspondence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxxi-the-rufford-correspondence) Writes to Arabella about Major Caneback's death and his hunting plans, showing awareness of her pursuit but continuing the correspondence. ### [XXXII: “It Is a Long Way”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxxii-it-is-a-long-way) Writes a second letter to Arabella, which she receives at Greenacre Manor, keeping her hopes alive. ### [Chowton Farm for Sale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxxv-chowton-farm-for-sale) Also going to Mistletoe, where Arabella will be visiting; his presence there angers Morton. ### [Mistletoe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxxvi-mistletoe) Expected to arrive at Mistletoe; Arabella hopes to rekindle their romance. ### [You Are So Severe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxxviii-you-are-so-severe) Walks with Arabella in the woods, smokes a cigar, and jokes about the frost preventing hunting; shows little seriousness about their relationship. ### [The Day at Peltry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxxix-the-day-at-peltry) Lends Arabella a horse, gives her the animal as a present, and shares a postchaise with her after the hunt. ### [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) Avoids commitment by leaving early to see a horse, using Captain Battersby to make excuses to the Duchess. ### [Particularly Proud of You](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xliv-particularly-proud-of-you) Absent from the chapter; Arabella writes to him and awaits his reply, hoping to force a commitment. ### [Lord Rufford Makes Up His Mind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xlv-lord-rufford-makes-up-his-mind) Determined to avoid marriage with Arabella Trefoil, he consults Sir George Penwether and writes to Lawrence Twentyman. ### [The Dinner at the Bush](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xlviii-the-dinner-at-the-bush) Writes a letter to Arabella denying marriage intentions, advises Larry Twentyman at the dinner. ### [Miss Trefoil's Decision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xlix-miss-trefoil-s-decision) Sent a rejection letter to Arabella, which she refuses to accept. ### [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) Proposed to Arabella twice at Mistletoe but later repudiates the engagement; is shooting near Dillsborough during this chapter. ### [The Senator’s Second Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/li-the-senator-s-second-letter) The Senator reflects on feeling the lordship even from such a popinjay as Lord Rufford. ### [Arabella Again at Bragton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/liv-arabella-again-at-bragton) Mentioned as the object of Arabella's current pursuit; she feels he has jilted her. ### [LV: “I Have Told Him Everything”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lv-i-have-told-him-everything) Mentioned as the man Arabella claims she was engaged to; she plans to confront him but does not follow through. ### [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) Denies any proposal of marriage, skillfully evading direct questions about his declarations of love, and leaves the interview feeling he has escaped unscathed. ### [Again at Mistletoe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lx-again-at-mistletoe) The target of the family's plan; they aim to pressure him into marrying Arabella, with Lady Augustus designated to confront him. ### [The Success of Lady Augustus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxi-the-success-of-lady-augustus) Denies any formal engagement to Arabella; offers and agrees to a monetary settlement to avoid further scandal. ### [LXII: “We Shall Kill Each Other”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxii-we-shall-kill-each-other) Quickly arranges the £8,000 payment through his lawyer; resolves never to kiss a young lady in a carriage again. ### [The New Minister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxv-the-new-minister) Mentioned in discussions about Arabella; some believe he behaved badly, others deny an engagement. ### [I Must Go](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxvi-i-must-go) Writes a letter denying any engagement and offering money, but fears a personal interview with Arabella. ### [In the Park](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxvii-in-the-park) Caught off guard by Arabella's arrival, he attempts to avoid the confrontation but is forced to endure her accusations. He offers weak denials and remains largely silent, feeling trapped and regretful. ### [Lord Rufford's Model Farm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxviii-lord-rufford-s-model-farm) Hosts the Senator and is questioned about Miss Trefoil; defends his model farm as picturesque. ### [Scrobby's Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxix-scrobby-s-trial) Sits as a magistrate during the trial, debates with Senator Gotobed about justice and punishment. Favors harsh treatment for Scrobby and Goarly. ### [Is It Tanti?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxxiii-is-it-tanti) Present at the hunt, he compliments Lawrence Twentyman's mare and offers to buy her, acknowledging Larry's riding skill. ### [Benedict](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxxiv-benedict) Weary and cowed after Arabella's pursuit, he yields to his sister's pressure and proposes to Miss Penge. ### [Arabella's Success](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxxv-arabella-s-success) Mentioned as having jilted Arabella; Mounser Green believes he treated her badly. ### [The Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxxvi-the-wedding) Implied to be the anonymous sender of a valuable diamond ring to Arabella; his heartless conduct is referenced. ### [The Senator's Lecture.—No. II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxxviii-the-senator-s-lecture-no-ii) Mentioned in the Senator's story about Goarly and Scrobby as an example of aristocratic generosity and the absurdity of British hunting. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxxx-conclusion) Marries Miss Penge, buys Sir John Purefoy's property, and becomes more settled and less adventurous. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/lord_rufford - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters