# Mr. Masters — The American Senator character guide > Mr. Masters in The American Senator by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mrs. Masters, Mr. and Mrs. Masters **First appearance:** 0002-iii-the-masters-family ## Snapshot A Dillsborough attorney caught between a wife who rules his house and a daughter he cannot quite protect, retreating to the Bush when words fail. ## Who they are Mr. Masters is a respectable solicitor whose domestic authority collapses the moment Mrs. Masters begins to shout, so that his one firm declaration—that Mary shall visit Lady Ushant—ends with him leaving his own house for the public-house. He knows his daughter wrote to Cheltenham and did not stop her, which makes him complicit in the slyness his wife denounces. His weakness matters because Mary's fate depends on a father who means well and cannot hold a line. ## Relationships ### [Reginald Morton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/reginald_morton) _social_ Mr. Masters, a local attorney, has professional and social dealings with Reginald Morton as a landowner. ### [Mary Masters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/mary_masters) _family_ Mr. Masters is Mary's father, a stern but caring attorney who wants a good match for her. ### [Lady Ushant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/lady_ushant) _social_ Lady Ushant and Mr. Masters interact as members of the local gentry and legal community, with mutual respect. ### [Lawrence Twentyman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/lawrence_twentyman) _social_ Lawrence Twentyman, a farmer, seeks Mr. Masters' approval as a suitor for his daughter Mary. ### [Reginald Morton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/reginald_morton) _social_ Mr. Masters, a local attorney, has professional and social dealings with Reginald Morton as a landowner. ### [Mary Masters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/mary_masters) _family_ Mr. Masters is Mary's father, a stern but caring attorney who wants a good match for her. ### [Lawrence Twentyman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/lawrence_twentyman) _social_ Lawrence Twentyman, a farmer, seeks Mr. Masters' approval as a suitor for his daughter Mary. ### [Lady Ushant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/lady_ushant) _social_ Lady Ushant and Mr. Masters interact as members of the local gentry and legal community, with mutual respect. ### [Lady Ushant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/lady_ushant) _social_ Lady Ushant and Mr. Masters interact as members of the local gentry and legal community, with mutual respect. ### [Lawrence Twentyman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/lawrence_twentyman) _social_ Lawrence Twentyman, a farmer, seeks Mr. Masters' approval as a suitor for his daughter Mary. ### [Mary Masters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/mary_masters) _family_ Mr. Masters is Mary's father, a stern but caring attorney who wants a good match for her. ### [Reginald Morton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/reginald_morton) _social_ Mr. Masters, a local attorney, has professional and social dealings with Reginald Morton as a landowner. ## In the story ### [I: Dillsborough](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/i-dillsborough) Well-known old-established attorney of Dillsborough; his wife Mrs. Masters is mentioned as distributing fruit from Hoppet Hall. ### [The Masters Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/iii-the-masters-family) The attorney, conflicted between his loyalty to the gentry and his wife's push to take Goarly's case for profit. ### [The Dillsborough Club](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/iv-the-dillsborough-club) The attorney, respected in Dillsborough; pressured by the club to refuse Goarly's case, he eventually indicates he will not take it. ### [Reginald Morton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/v-reginald-morton) The local attorney and tenant of Reginald Morton, who manages Morton's town property and is a friend to him. ### [The Walk Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/vii-the-walk-home) At home, discusses the news of John Morton's impending arrival and the need for preparations at Bragton. ### [XIV: The Dillsborough Feud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xiv-the-dillsborough-feud) The attorney who refused Goarly's case, facing criticism from his wife and financial worry. ### [XIV: The Dillsborough Feud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xiv-the-dillsborough-feud) Angry and anxious about her husband's decision to reject Goarly's business, fearing poverty. ### [XV: A Fit Companion—For Me and My Sisters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xv-a-fit-companion-for-me-and-my-sisters) Referenced as the stepmother who manages household affairs and is unfavorable to Mary's intimacy with Lady Ushant. ### [The Attorney's Family Is Disturbed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xviii-the-attorney-s-family-is-disturbed) The attorney supports Mary's visit to Lady Ushant, overruling his wife's objections. He arranges for Mary to travel with Reginald Morton and provides funds for her trip. ### [XIX: “Who Valued the Geese?”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xix-who-valued-the-geese) The attorney who receives instructions from Lord Rufford's steward and regrets encouraging Nickem's underhand work; he is also followed by Larry Twentyman. ### [Give Me Six Months](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxvi-give-me-six-months) Supports Mary's decision but is anxious for her to settle; arranges the meeting with Twentyman. ### [Wonderful Bird!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxvii-wonderful-bird) Grateful to Reginald for accompanying Mary; hands her into the fly at the station. ### [Wonderful Bird!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxvii-wonderful-bird) Disapproves of Mary's visit to Cheltenham; grumbles about the £20 and fears Mary will get unsuitable ideas. ### [XXXII: “It Is a Long Way”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxxii-it-is-a-long-way) Receives a surprise visit from John Morton, who pays a long-standing debt of £127 8s. 4d., much to the attorney's relief. ### [The Beginning of Persecution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-beginning-of-persecution) Pleased with his handling of the Goarly case and the cheque from Mr. Morton, but distressed by Mary's refusal of Twentyman. ### [Mary's Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxxiv-mary-s-letter) Reads Mary's letter, reluctantly allows it to be sent, questions Mary about a possible other love interest (suspecting Mr. Surtees), and faces his wife's reproaches. ### [Mary's Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxxiv-mary-s-letter) Attempts to retrieve Mary's letter from the post office, fails, and reproaches her husband for allowing the letter to be sent. ### [Persecution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xliii-persecution) Defends Mary against his wife's harsh treatment, but is made miserable by the family conflict; consents to Mary's letter to Lady Ushant. ### [It Cannot Be Arranged](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xlvi-it-cannot-be-arranged) Is out walking with Mary but not present during the confrontation; his retreating form is seen entering the Bush. ### [It Cannot Be Arranged](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xlvi-it-cannot-be-arranged) Fiercely opposes Mary's return to Cheltenham, accuses Mary of deceit and stubbornness, and argues with Reginald Morton. ### [But There Is Some One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xlvii-but-there-is-some-one) Struggles with his wife's opposition to Mary's Cheltenham trip, asserts his authority, and later confides in Reginald Morton about his suspicion that Mary has another attachment. ### [Providence Interferes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lii-providence-interferes) The attorney is caught between his wife's relentless pressure and his daughter's wishes. He longs for Mary's departure to end the conflict but remains firm in supporting her. ### [Providence Interferes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lii-providence-interferes) Mrs. Masters is the driving force behind the campaign to marry Mary to Larry. She sees Lady Ushant's summons as a providential intervention and uses it to renew her hopes and pressure Larry. ### [LIX: The Last Effort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lix-the-last-effort) Pleads with Mary to accept Lawrence, showing a softer, more desperate demeanor, but is ultimately disappointed. ### [Changes at Bragton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxiii-changes-at-bragton) The attorney is summoned by Mrs. Morton to discuss legal matters. He learns of Lady Ushant's intention to leave half or all of her income to Mary. ### [The Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxiv-the-will) Mr. Masters, the attorney, was summoned to Bragton before John Morton's death and later attends the reading of the will. ### [At Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxx-at-last) Restored to his old family position regarding the Bragton estate by Reginald. ### [My Own, Own Husband](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxxi-my-own-own-husband) Told by Mary of her engagement; he is surprised but proud. ### [My Own, Own Husband](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxxi-my-own-own-husband) Overwhelmed and humiliated by the news, but ultimately delighted at Mary's good fortune. ### [LXXII: “Bid Him Be a Man”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxxii-bid-him-be-a-man) Rides to Chowton Farm to deliver Mary's message to Larry; reflects on his regained position at Bragton and his daughter's engagement. ### [The Last Days of Mary Masters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxxix-the-last-days-of-mary-masters) The attorney; his family's rise in Dillsborough is noted, and he proposes the family stay at Bragton. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxxx-conclusion) Moves to Hoppet Hall with his family and continues his regular attendance at the Dillsborough club. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/mr_masters - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters