# Priscilla — The Blithedale Romance character guide > Priscilla in The Blithedale Romance by Nathaniel Hawthorne. **Role:** major **Also known as:** XX They Vanish Priscilla **First appearance:** 0004-iii-a-knot-of-dreamers ## Snapshot A wan, unsubstantial girl who seems to slip through walls and read hidden things, she arrives at Blithedale as a mystery no one quite claims. ## Who they are Priscilla drifts into the farmhouse like a leaf on a dark current, so slight that sunlight passes through her and so strange that she speaks of distant rooms she has never seen. Her timid, melancholy eyes seem to see concealed things, and her passive presence sets her in utter opposition to Zenobia's dearest interests. She matters because she is the still point around which the others' desires, guilt, and secrets begin to turn. ## Relationships ### [Zenobia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/zenobia) _family_ Priscilla and Zenobia are half-sisters, with Zenobia initially unaware of their blood relation, leading to a complex mix of rivalry and protectiveness. ### [Old Moodie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/old_moodie) _family_ Old Moodie is Priscilla's father, and he feels a protective guilt toward her, ultimately revealing her inheritance. ### [Miles Coverdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/miles_coverdale) _friendship_ Coverdale feels a protective, brotherly affection for Priscilla, though his interest is tinged with curiosity and detachment. ### [Professor Westervelt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/professor_westervelt) _psychological_ Westervelt controls Priscilla as the Veiled Lady, using mesmerism to exploit her for public performances and personal gain. ### [Silas Foster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/silas_foster) _social_ Priscilla and Silas Foster share a simple, cordial relationship as fellow Blithedale residents, with Foster treating her kindly. ### [Zenobia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/zenobia) _family_ Priscilla and Zenobia are half-sisters, with Zenobia initially unaware of their blood relation, leading to a complex mix of rivalry and protectiveness. ### [Zenobia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/zenobia) _family_ Priscilla and Zenobia are half-sisters, with Zenobia initially unaware of their blood relation, leading to a complex mix of rivalry and protectiveness. ### [Old Moodie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/old_moodie) _family_ Old Moodie is Priscilla's father, and he feels a protective guilt toward her, ultimately revealing her inheritance. ### [Old Moodie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/old_moodie) _family_ Old Moodie is Priscilla's father, and he feels a protective guilt toward her, ultimately revealing her inheritance. ### [Professor Westervelt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/professor_westervelt) _psychological_ Westervelt controls Priscilla as the Veiled Lady, using mesmerism to exploit her for public performances and personal gain. ## In the story ### [The Blithedale Romance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/the-blithedale-romance) A fragile, enigmatic young woman who joins the community. ### [IV: The Supper-Table](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/iv-the-supper-table) Arrives as a mysterious, trembling stranger; speaks only her first name and pleads to stay near Zenobia. ### [Until Bedtime](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/v-until-bedtime) Priscilla is timid and fearful of the storm, seeking Zenobia's protection. She knits a silk purse and is deeply affected by Zenobia's words, weeping when she overhears a scornful remark. ### [VI: Coverdale’s Sick-Chamber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/vi-coverdale-s-sick-chamber) Mentioned briefly; Coverdale cannot vouch for her morning habits. ### [The Convalescent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/vii-the-convalescent) The gentle, mysterious girl who brings Coverdale a hand-sewn nightcap and shows deep attachment to Zenobia and Hollingsworth. ### [A Modern Arcadia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/viii-a-modern-arcadia) Shows newfound wildness and happiness; runs to meet Hollingsworth; described as the picture of New England spring. ### [IX: Hollingsworth, Zenobia, Priscilla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/ix-hollingsworth-zenobia-priscilla) Gentle and impressionable, she sits at Hollingsworth's feet and draws his tender attention, causing Zenobia's unease. ### [A Visitor from Town](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/x-a-visitor-from-town) Appears at a window with Zenobia; Moodie's concern for her happiness is central to the scene. ### [XI: The Wood-Path](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xi-the-wood-path) Subject of Westervelt's inquiries; described as a 'delicate, nervous young creature'; Coverdale declines to facilitate a meeting with her. ### [XII: Coverdale's Hermitage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xii-coverdale-s-hermitage) Seen sitting at Zenobia's window, sewing; Coverdale sends her a mental message. ### [XIII: Zenobia's Legend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xiii-zenobia-s-legend) Priscilla is the subject of Zenobia's dramatic gesture; she is veiled with gauze and left visibly shaken, nearly fainting. ### [Eliot's Pulpit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xiv-eliot-s-pulpit) Initially joyful, she becomes sorrowful and withdrawn after witnessing the closeness between Zenobia and Hollingsworth. ### [XV: A Crisis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xv-a-crisis) Mentioned by Coverdale, but Hollingsworth reacts angrily to the question of her fate. ### [XVI: Leave-Takings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xvi-leave-takings) Gives Coverdale a purse as a keepsake; expresses a wish for no change and shows calm self-possession. ### [XVIII: The Boardinghouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xviii-the-boardinghouse) Glimpsed in the boudoir, dressed fancifully and working with her hands; later disappears from view. ### [XIX: Zenobia’s Drawing-Room](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xix-zenobia-s-drawing-room) Mentioned as being present in Zenobia's home; Coverdale notes Hollingsworth's tenderness toward her, causing Zenobia's distress. ### [XX: They Vanish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xx-they-vanish) Dressed in white, appears ethereal and beautiful; reveals she came to Zenobia at Hollingsworth's bidding and feels she has no free will. ### [An Old Acquaintance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxi-an-old-acquaintance) Referenced as the reason Coverdale seeks out Moodie, due to their relationship. ### [Fauntleroy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxii-fauntleroy) Fauntleroy's younger daughter, a pale, nervous child with a deep love for her unseen half-sister and rumored supernatural abilities. ### [A Village Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxiii-a-village-hall) Appears as the Veiled Lady; throws off her veil and flees to Hollingsworth. ### [The Masqueraders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxiv-the-masqueraders) Dressed as a ragamuffin in the masquerade; later sits at Hollingsworth's feet at Eliot's Pulpit. ### [The Three Together](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxv-the-three-together) The pale victim in the scene, she trembles and ultimately offers herself to Zenobia as a sister before leaving with Hollingsworth. ### [XXVI: Zenobia and Coverdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxvi-zenobia-and-coverdale) Mentioned as Hollingsworth's choice; Zenobia predicts she will fade soon and sends her the jeweled flower. ### [Blithedale Pasture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxviii-blithedale-pasture) Protective and watchful of Hollingsworth; her one possible misfortune was his unkindness, which never befell her. ### [Miles Coverdale's Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/chapters/xxix-miles-coverdale-s-confession) Revealed as the object of Coverdale's secret love, which he confesses at the chapter's end. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters/priscilla - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blithedale_romance_se/characters