# John Armitage — The Black Opal character guide

> John Armitage in The Black Opal by Katharine Susannah Prichard.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Armitage, John Lincoln Armitage, Armitage, old Armitage

**First appearance:** 0000-part-i-i

## Who they are

A wealthy syndicate man who reads other men's secrets too easily, he arrives on the Ridge offering reorganisation and carrying suspicions he intends to use.

## Relationships

### [Michael Brady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/michael_brady)

_friendship_

John Armitage and Michael Brady share a strong camaraderie, built on mutual respect and shared experiences.

### [Sophie Rouminof](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/sophie_rouminof)

_friendship_

John Armitage is a trusted friend to Sophie, providing her with steady support and understanding.

### [Michael Brady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/michael_brady)

_friendship_

John Armitage and Michael Brady share a strong camaraderie, built on mutual respect and shared experiences.

### [Michael Brady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/michael_brady)

_friendship_

John Armitage and Michael Brady share a strong camaraderie, built on mutual respect and shared experiences.

### [Sophie Rouminof](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/sophie_rouminof)

_friendship_

John Armitage is a trusted friend to Sophie, providing her with steady support and understanding.

### [Sophie Rouminof](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/sophie_rouminof)

_friendship_

John Armitage is a trusted friend to Sophie, providing her with steady support and understanding.

## In the story

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-i-ix)

John Armitage is a clean-shaved, well-groomed man of about forty, traveling on the coach with Mr. Ventry, and his smile and stare annoy Henty.

### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-i-x)

Arrives at the Ridge, buys opals, and subtly probes the men about the stolen opals.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-i-xi)

Busy buying opal, growing keener but still less skilled than his father; secretly nursing a plan to reorganize mining on the Ridge.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-i-xii)

Opal-buyer who visited the Ridge; gave Michael books; Michael recalls his probing questions and fine hands.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-i-xv)

Notices Sophie's humiliation, dances with her repeatedly, leads her to the garden, and admires her opal jewelry, showing protective and flirtatious interest.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-i-xvi)

Suspected by Potch of being linked to Sophie's departure; had been seen talking with her and left on the same train.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-viii)

Mentioned as the buyer of the opals Maud had in New York.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-ix)

Referenced in Sophie's memory and confession; she clarifies he was always kind and never asked her to run away, but his attentions led her to leave for America.

### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-x)

Attends the dance despite tension, dances with Sophie with cynical ease, and later dances with Polly Henty. His presence scandalizes some Ridge folk.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-xi)

Proposes marriage to Sophie; outlines his plan to reorganize the Ridge mines, threatening to expose Michael if he refuses cooperation.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-xiii)

John Armitage proposes a syndicate to buy up mines and pressures Michael to cooperate, threatening to accuse him of theft if he refuses. He leaves for Sydney, planning to call a meeting upon his return.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-xiv)

Implied to be holding something over Michael, threatening the Ridge's principles.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/chapters/part-ii-xvi)

Accuses Michael of theft, later apologizes, and proposes a scheme to buy up the mines.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters/john_armitage
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_opal_se/characters