# Mills — The Arrow of Gold character guide

> Mills in The Arrow of Gold by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Mills, Monsieur Mills, the quiet Mills, The heavy Mills, III Mills

**First appearance:** 0003-the-arrow-of-gold

## Snapshot

A quiet, heavy man whom everyone trusts and no one quite knows, he watches the drama with the patience of someone who has seen it all before.

## Who they are

Mills is the friend George leans on and the confidant Blunt needles, a still presence in rooms full of vanity and scheming. His calm is not passivity; he notices everything, from Blunt's vulgarity to Rita's silences, and his judgments carry weight precisely because he rarely speaks. He matters because he gives the story its moral weather, the sense that someone is keeping account even when no one else is.

## Relationships

### [Captain Blunt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/characters/captain_blunt)

_rivalry_

Captain Blunt and Mills are antagonistic competitors, clashing over political and personal loyalties.

### [Captain Blunt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/characters/captain_blunt)

_rivalry_

Captain Blunt and Mills are antagonistic competitors, clashing over political and personal loyalties.

### [Captain Blunt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/characters/captain_blunt)

_rivalry_

Captain Blunt and Mills are antagonistic competitors, clashing over political and personal loyalties.

## In the story

### [First Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/first-note)

One of the two minds that conceived the plan to recruit the narrator for the Carlist supply enterprise; he had gathered information about the narrator's character and lifestyle.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-i-i)

A burly, well-connected, and rustic man who is perfectly insular. He is a senior figure who attracts the narrator's interest and is quiet and immovable in his habits.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-i-ii)

Listens quietly, occasionally offering dry commentary.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-i-iii)

Listens quietly, occasionally interjecting with pointed questions, and agrees to bring the narrator to lunch.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-ii-i)

Accompanies the narrator to Rita's villa; provides context about Rita and Blunt.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-ii-iii)

Engages in a deep conversation with Doña Rita, listening to her reflections on her past and offering quiet support.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-ii-iv)

Accompanies the narrator, but is more focused on the Legitimist Principle; they agree to avoid being seen together.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-iii-ii)

Present during the first meeting, and the narrator trusts his belief in Rita's existence.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-iv-ii)

Mentioned as having spoken to Mrs. Blunt about the narrator; described as having a golden heart.

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-iv-iii)

Mentioned as having vouched for the narrator's maturity to Mrs. Blunt.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-iv-v)

Mentioned in Rita's dialogue as someone who couldn't tell her what 'something' she expressed was, suggesting a deeper understanding of her character.

### [Second Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-v-second-note)

He attends to George during his recovery and delivers Rita's message. He provides insight into Rita's character and the nature of their relationship.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/characters/mills
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/characters