# Percy Woodville — The Beetle character guide

> Percy Woodville in The Beetle by Richard Marsh.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Percy, Woodville

**First appearance:** 0000-book-i-the-house-with-the-open-window

## Who they are

A jealous young suitor of Marjorie Lindon, Percy Woodville burns with resentment toward his older, colder rival Lessingham and cannot quite let her go.

## Relationships

### [The Beetle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/the_beetle)

_psychological_

Percy Woodville is another victim of the Beetle's hypnotic power, used as a pawn in its schemes.

### [The Beetle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/the_beetle)

_psychological_

Percy Woodville is another victim of the Beetle's hypnotic power, used as a pawn in its schemes.

### [The Beetle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/the_beetle)

_psychological_

Percy Woodville is another victim of the Beetle's hypnotic power, used as a pawn in its schemes.

## In the story

### [X: Rejected](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/x-rejected)

Flustered and searching for Marjorie for their dance, he asks Atherton to decipher his ball programme.

### [The Duchess’ Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xiv-the-duchess-ball)

A flustered and emotional suitor who reveals to Atherton that Marjorie has refused his marriage proposal; he later heads to the House of Commons.

### [XV: Mr. Lessingham Speaks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xv-mr-lessingham-speaks)

Appears distressed after Marjorie leaves with Lessingham; laments his inability to speak in the House and win her attention.

### [XVI: Atherton’s Magic Vapour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xvi-atherton-s-magic-vapour)

Lovelorn and teetotaler; recounts his repeated failed attempts to propose to Marjorie, becomes drunk, and accompanies Atherton to his laboratory.

### [Magic?—Or Miracle?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xvii-magic-or-miracle)

Victim of the Magic Vapour; rendered unconscious and revived by the stranger's hypnotic intervention.

### [XVIII: The Apotheosis of the Beetle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xviii-the-apotheosis-of-the-beetle)

Found asleep in the yard; wakes disoriented with a headache; Atherton leads him into the laboratory.

### [A Father’s No](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxvi-a-father-s-no)

Proposes to Marjorie again; she dismisses it as nothing serious.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/percy_woodville
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters