# Bettie Hamlyn — The Cords of Vanity character guide > Bettie Hamlyn in The Cords of Vanity by James Branch Cabell. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Elizabeth Hamlyn, Lizzie, Lizzie d'Arlanges **First appearance:** 0005-i-writing ## Snapshot A cigarette-smoking, dimpled young woman whose illogical arguments are invariably convincing, and whose companionship the narrator prefers to the woman he loves. ## Who they are Bettie spars with the narrator in drawing rooms and over cigarettes, puncturing his self-portraits with a yawn and a Schumann étude in nine flats. She loves him, and knows he has recovered from loving her, and says so with a crispness that is its own kind of wound. Her honesty — voicing her real opinion as if joking — makes her the moral counterweight to his evasions, and the relationship the novel keeps circling back to. ## In the story ### [II: He Loves Extensively](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii-he-loves-extensively) The narrator's close friend at King's College; they share a deep but non-romantic bond, and she criticizes his tendency to manufacture emotions for poetry. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii) Bettie taught the narrator human intimacy almost; he preferred her companionship even when in love with another. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii) Subject of the narrator's character sketch; she reacts with a yawn and a comment about love and recovery. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv) The narrator's confidante, to whom he read his verses; referred to as 'Heart o' My Heart' in the poem. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v) Offers a perceptive critique of the narrator's romantic affectations and mentions Stella Musgrave's visit. ### [III: He Earns a Stickpin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii-he-earns-a-stickpin) Bettie corresponds with the narrator and extracts a promise of honesty from him. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii) Bettie accompanies the narrator to the Baccalaureate Address. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii) Bettie warns the narrator about his bad lot and urges him to be honest with her, regardless of what he does. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vi) Bettie is in Colorado caring for her dying mother; she insists the narrator write to her regularly. ### [He Revisits Fairhaven and the Play](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v-he-revisits-fairhaven-and-the-play) Absent in Colorado with her dying mother; the narrator writes to her monthly and considers her one of only three sorts of humanity. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii) Spent the spring and preceding year in Colorado with her mother, who died that summer; the narrator's correspondence with her continues. ### [VII: He Goes Mad in a Garden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vii-he-goes-mad-in-a-garden) The narrator writes a letter to Bettie in Colorado, mentioning his changed plans and his visit to the Opera House. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v) Recipient of the narrator's letter; she is in Colorado and has expressed hatred of Charteris. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vi) The narrator writes a letter to Bettie Hamlyn before leaving for Negley. ### [X: He Samples New Emotions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/x-he-samples-new-emotions) The narrator writes a postcard to Bettie, maintaining a pretense of regular correspondence. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v) Recipient of the narrator's postcard; the narrator considers her expectations for regular writing. ### [XII: He Faces Himself and Remembers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xii-he-faces-himself-and-remembers) The narrator sends her a cablegram and later thinks of her as a potential anchor to normal life. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v) The narrator sends her a cablegram, indicating a significant connection and his decision to re-engage with real people. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vi) The narrator appeals to Bettie to make a common man of him, suggesting she might have succeeded. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vii) The narrator considers that Bettie would not mind a visit, but also that she need not know about it. ### [He Baits Upon the Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xiii-he-baits-upon-the-journey) Briefly referenced as Stella's sister, the Marquise d'Arlanges, in a comparison of Stella's gown. ### [XIV: He Participates in a Brave Jest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xiv-he-participates-in-a-brave-jest) Stella's sister, the Marquise d'Arlanges, sends for the narrator after the accident and is the recipient of the false news about Peter. ### [He Decides to Amuse Himself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xv-he-decides-to-amuse-himself) Reunites with the narrator in Fairhaven; criticizes his book and his emotional evasiveness, gently chides him. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i) The narrator comes again to Bettie Hamlyn after the funeral. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii) Bettie criticizes the narrator's book and character, and rejects his marriage proposal. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii) Learned from Aurelia Minns that the narrator was seen at the theatre in Lichfield with Stella; not particularly fond of Stella. ### [He Provides Copy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xvii-he-provides-copy) Bettie is quoted as having said the narrator wrote women like 'pterodactyls or some other extinct animal.' ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii) Bettie is referenced as having been right about the narrator's previous inability to portray women authentically in his writing. ### [He Plays the Improvident Fool](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xix-he-plays-the-improvident-fool) Now the Marquise d'Arlanges, Lizzie criticizes the narrator's engagement to Rosalind, comparing him to Peter Blagden, and warns him against marrying Rosalind. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii) Lizzie, now the Marquise d'Arlanges, is visiting her parents. She is described as handsome, hard, and worldly, with a resemblance to her sister Stella. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii) Reveals she knew the narrator's love was for Stella; speaks gently and perceptively about the situation. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv) Now Madame d'Arlanges, she confronts the narrator about his intentions toward Rosalind and draws parallels to Peter Blagden's treatment of Stella. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v) The narrator writes to Bettie about his happiness, despite not having communicated with her for two years. ### [He Calls, and Counsels, and Considers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xxvii-he-calls-and-counsels-and-considers) Bettie confronts the narrator about his book coming alive and expresses her feelings about his transformation. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii) The narrator re-reads her letter for the seventeenth time. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv) Bettie is the recipient of the narrator's earlier rhapsody about Elena, and he now feels compelled to tell her about his engagement to Avis. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v) Scolds Robin for not knowing his own mind, criticizes Elena Barry-Smith and Avis Beechinor, and philosophizes about motherhood and Setebos. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vi) Does not care for the narrator in himself, but is fond of him as a reminder of a boy from King's College; they spend three months reading old books together. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vii) Bettie is actively editing the narrator's manuscript, crossing out passages and offering sharp critiques, while also expressing a sense of loss for the person the narrator used to be. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ix) The narrator considers Bettie as someone who could make something vital of him, though he doubts he can afford her the material. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xi) The narrator returns home to Bettie for supper. ### [He Participates in Sundry Confidences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xxviii-he-participates-in-sundry-confidences) Engages in a candid conversation with the narrator and agrees to marry him. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii) Referenced as having predicted the mother would win. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii) Bettie is in the garden with Clarriker, teasing the narrator about his aversion to her wearing flowers. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv) Accepts Robin's proposal despite knowing his flaws, admits she loves him for his vices and pities him. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/vii) Bettie grows closer to the narrator, praises Charteris initially, but later expresses hatred for him. ### [He Allows the Merits of Imperfection](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xxix-he-allows-the-merits-of-imperfection) The narrator's capable fiancée; she understands the significance of Stella's birthday and allows him a holiday. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i) Bettie is the narrator's companion who will keep him to the mark and wring the best from him; she knows the significance of tomorrow's date. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as the narrator's fiancée, who would smell alcohol on him. ### [He Gilds the Weathervane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xxx-he-gilds-the-weathervane) Bettie is playing the piano in the house. The narrator interacts with her after Hardress leaves, and she jokes about the shooting sounds. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/ii) Bettie is present, playing the piano, and the narrator thinks of her fondly. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii) Playing piano in the background during the confrontation. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iv) Bettie appears on the porch, teases the narrator about his 'fat friend' Hardress and his work habits, and agrees to join him in the garden. ### [The Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/the-epilogue) The narrator feels compelled to tell Bettie everything, recalling her plea for honesty, but hesitates due to the potential unhappiness it would cause. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/characters/bettie_hamlyn - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/characters