# Doña Rita — The Arrow of Gold character guide > Doña Rita in The Arrow of Gold by Joseph Conrad. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Rita, Doña, Madame de Lastaola, Lastaola, Rita de Lastaola, Mme. de Lastaola **First appearance:** 0003-the-arrow-of-gold ## Snapshot A woman who rose from riding at Allègre's side to holding a salon of art and intrigue, she draws men toward her like a flame draws moths. ## Who they are Doña Rita moves through Paris as the rumored heiress of the Allègre collection, her beauty and composure making her the still center of a room full of schemers. Men like Azzolati and Blunt orbit her, wounded by her casual cruelties, while she seems to belong to no one and to nothing but some private purpose. Her presence turns the Carlist intrigue into something personal, and George's devotion to her becomes the pulse of the story's early arc. ## In the story ### [First Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/first-note) Mentioned as the person who would have to do the persuading for the enterprise; her history is introduced in the conversation between Mills and Blunt. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-i-ii) Subject of Blunt's narrative; her past with Allègre and her current precarious situation are discussed. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-i-iii) Discussed extensively; her movements, reputation, and secret visit to royal headquarters are the focus of conversation. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-ii-i) Descends the stairs in a blue silk wrapper, captivating the narrator; deals with an unexpected journalist. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-ii-iii) Reveals her past with Henry Allègre, her sheltered life, and her fears about the world and her own identity. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-ii-iv) Meets with the narrator at the Prado, showing interest in the plans and a desire to meet Dominic. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-iii-i) Impressed by Dominic, suggests narrator move into her house, reveals her past and name adoption. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-iii-ii) The narrator engages in playful banter with her, and he becomes increasingly captivated by her charm, seeing her as life-giving and illuminating. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-iii-iii) Mentioned by Madame Léonore, who went to see her and observed her with a good-looking cavalier. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-iii-iv) Shows vulnerability and frustration, seeking belief and understanding; her enigmatic nature and emotional depth are highlighted. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-iv-i) The object of the narrator's obsessive love; her sister Therese accuses her of wickedness and claims she gave away the house. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-iv-iii) Discussed as the object of Mrs. Blunt's matrimonial plans, seen as a woman of unique charm and fortune. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-iv-iv) Engages in a heated yet affectionate dialogue with the narrator, revealing her past, her correspondence with an old lady, and her rejection of a noble suitor. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-iv-v) Engages in an intimate and philosophical conversation with the narrator, revealing her past with Henry Allègre and her feelings of being a captive. She shows both impatience and deep affection. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-v-i) The object of the narrator's obsessive longing. Her absence dominates the chapter, and her past is evoked through the dummy and Therese's accusations. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-v-ii) The narrator's obsession; her name and memory pervade his thoughts, and she is the source of his involvement in Royalist affairs. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-v-iii) Mentioned as being on her way to Tolosa; the narrator's memories of her dominate his thoughts. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-v-iv) Though not present, she is the central focus of both the narrator's thoughts and Ortega's obsession. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-v-v) Reveals her reasons for fleeing Paris, her desire to hide, and her vulnerability to the manipulations of her sister Therese. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-v-vi) Terrified by the presence of Ortega, she tries to flee and is restrained by the narrator. Her reaction reveals deep fear and a past connection to Ortega. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-v-vii) In a state of chaos and despair, she pleads to be taken out of the house, showing vulnerability and fear. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-v-viii) In a state of profound shock and despair, she declares herself 'killed' by the night's events, yet insists she is not evil. She seeks refuge in the narrator's room, showing vulnerability and a desperate need for comfort. ### [Second Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/part-v-second-note) She has left George after their retreat, having sacrificed their love for his integrity. She leaves an arrow as a keepsake and a message to prevent him from dreaming. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/characters/rita_de_lastaola - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/characters