I: He Sits Out a Dance
Stella is nearly fifteen, described as awkward with many corners, but she engages in a deep conversation about life and death, and later rebuffs the narrator's kiss.
I
Stella is introduced as an awkward fifteen-year-old, with nervous laughter and fidgety habits.
II
Stella is described as having 'multitudinous corners' and being self-conscious about her appearance, yet she agrees to sit out a dance with the narrator.
IV
Expresses fear of the future and death, then allows a kiss but asks not to repeat it.
V
Flushed and indignant, she angrily tells the narrator she hates him and orders him away.
II: He Loves Extensively
Mentioned by Bettie as visiting for the Finals; the narrator feels a nervous desire to see her again.
I
Mentioned as not seen for a lengthy while after earlier events.
V
Mentioned as visiting for the Finals; the narrator is curious and nervous about seeing her again.
III: He Earns a Stickpin
Stella is courted by the narrator and Peter, eventually marrying Peter Blagden.
I
Playfully teases the narrator about his appearance and his attempts at romance, showing her critical and flirtatious demeanor.
II
Stella is cross and scornful about not attending the Baccalaureate Address with the narrator.
III
Stella has left Fairhaven that afternoon, after the Finals.
IV
Stella puts the narrator on a waiting list for suitors, calls him a 'cube' to her 'triangle,' and expresses a half-humorous fear of him.
V
Stella hesitated between the narrator and Peter Blagden through the winter, but ultimately chose Peter.
VI
The narrator devotes most of his time to Stella.
VII
Described as having star-like blue eyes; a coquette who repeatedly leads young men on and then feigns surprise and grief at their declarations of love.
VIII
Stella declines the narrator's proposal, informing him she is to marry Peter Blagden. She appears as a bride with glad, frightened eyes and a tranquil voice.
IV: He Talks with Charteris
Recently married to Peter Blagden; the narrator's unrequited love for her is the subject of his 'disastrous love-business' and the reason for his melancholy.
I
Stella is implied as the bride (Mrs. Blagden) who has just been married and left with Peter.
III
Referenced as the woman the narrator has loved and lost, whose wedding prompted his new dress-suit.
IV
Stella is mentioned as being remote from the narrator's thoughts, compared to historical figures.
IV
Her marriage three weeks prior marks the timeline for this chapter's events.
VII
The beloved, addressed as 'Bobbie,' who gently questions the narrator's arguments and ultimately refuses to make any promises.
I
Charteris reminds the narrator that he was previously heartbroken over Stella.
XII: He Faces Himself and Remembers
Glimpsed driving on Regis Avenue in Lichfield; later makes tea for the narrator.
VI
Stella is the object of the narrator's temptation; she drives on Regis Avenue in Lichfield on fine afternoons.
VII
Stella, now married to Peter Blagden, does not recognize the narrator at first but later makes tea for him.
He Baits Upon the Journey
Stella is dressed in pink, celebrates her second wedding anniversary, and expresses frustration with the limited role of women, calling herself a 'butterfly-woman' while yearning for more.
I
Greets the narrator, makes tea, and teases him about his melancholy, suggesting he fall in love with someone else.
II
Dressed in a pink gown, likened to a marquise from Watteau or Fragonard, celebrating her second wedding anniversary.
III
Now Stella Blagden, she discusses her husband Peter's success, her own desire for a meaningful life, and her strategy of using her charm to help Peter's career.
XIV: He Participates in a Brave Jest
Stella is critically injured in a carriage accident; she dies believing in the narrator's fabricated story of Peter's triumph, expressing satisfaction with her life and her role in making Peter a success.
I
Stella drives by in an equipage with a tiger, nodding in recognition to the narrator.
III
Stella is injured and possibly dying; she is calling for Peter Blagden.
IV
On her deathbed, Stella reflects on her role in making Peter a success, expresses vanity and pride, and accepts her death with a mix of fear and contentment.
V
Stella bids farewell, recalls their first meeting, and explains she always cared more for the narrator but he was not dependable like Peter.
He Decides to Amuse Himself
Recently deceased; the narrator mourns her funeral and recalls her as the first love.
I
Stella's funeral is the central memory haunting the narrator.
II
Stella is deceased; the narrator mourns her and mentions her funeral.
III
Her death prompts the narrator's return to Lichfield; she had a marvellous dinner-company at the theatre.
He Spends an Afternoon in Arden
Referenced as the girl in the narrator's story—the object of his idealized love who ultimately did not reciprocate his feelings.
II
Stella receives the narrator with cordiality and an assumption of friendship, baffling him by not acknowledging his previous neglect.
He Plays the Improvident Fool
Referenced as the sister of Lizzie and the woman Peter Blagden married; Lizzie compares the narrator's situation to Peter's treatment of Stella.
II
Stella is deceased, but her memory haunts the narrator, who sees her likeness in Lizzie.
III
Appears in the narrator's dreams as a medieval lady and as a child; married Peter Blagden; central to the narrator's longing.
IV
Referenced as the woman Peter Blagden married and deceived; Lizzie compares the narrator's situation to hers.
He Cleans the Slate
Referenced as the original recipient of the sonnet-sequence the narrator plagiarizes and sends to Elena.
IV
The original recipient of the sonnet-sequence the narrator plagiarizes; she is dead and cannot know of its reuse.
III
The heiress of Selwoode, encountered reading in the garden; she questions the narrator's presence on private property.
I
The young woman being described; her features are noted as elusive and beautiful, with amber eyes, shifting hair color, red lips, and cloud-like cheeks.
XXV: He Advances in the Attack on Selwoode
Mentioned as having died two years ago on April 28; Townsend reflects on his past love for her.
I
Stella is remembered as the woman both the narrator and Peter loved; she died two years ago on this day.
III
Surprised by the narrator's visit; flushes when opening the book.
I
Likely the 'she' in the meeting, as the chapter introduces the romantic encounter.
III
Mentioned as deceased; Peter reflects on her being too good for him.
IX
The narrator recalls Stella's understanding of wanting to leave something in the world that wasn't there before.
II
Peter's first wife, remembered by the narrator as not the saint others depict.
IV
Referenced as 'Stella Blagden,' the only person Robin has ever loved, according to Bettie.
He Allows the Merits of Imperfection
Deceased; the narrator brings daffodils to her grave on her birthday and remembers her vanity, childishness, and love for Peter.
I
Stella is the woman the narrator once loved; tomorrow is her birthday, the anniversary prompting his holiday.
II
Stella is dead; the narrator remembers her vanity, her love of daffodils, and her dreams for Peter Blagden. He contrasts the real Stella with the idealized version others remember.
IV
Stella is referenced in the narrator's reflection about honey and what wasn't in the world before he came.
