# Rosamond Frankland — The Dead Secret character guide > Rosamond Frankland in The Dead Secret by Wilkie Collins. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Rosamond, Little Rosamond, Rosamond Treverton **First appearance:** 0001-i-the-twenty-third-of-august-1829 ## Snapshot A young bride who inherits the forbidding Porthgenna Tower and cannot rest until she knows what the Myrtle Room is hiding. ## Who they are Rosamond Frankland returns to the Cornish house she left at five, now mistress of it, with a blind husband she adores and a curiosity that will not be quieted. A dying nurse's whispered warning — keep out of the Myrtle Room — turns her homecoming into an investigation, and her warm, persistent nature makes her the engine of the whole story. She is the reader's way in: hopeful, stubborn, and certain the truth is owed to her. ## Relationships ### [Leonard Frankland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/characters/leonard_frankland) _family_ Husband and wife, deeply devoted to each other despite the secrets surrounding Rosamond's birth. ### [Mrs. Jazeph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/characters/mrs_jazeph) _psychological_ Mrs. Jazeph (Sarah Leeson) is Rosamond's biological mother, but their relationship is defined by secrecy, guilt, and hidden maternal love. ### [Miss Sturch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/characters/miss_sturch) _friendship_ Miss Sturch is a close friend and confidante to Rosamond, offering companionship and support. ### [Sarah Leeson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/characters/sarah_leeson) _family_ Rosamond is the daughter of Sarah Leeson, though she does not know this, creating a poignant hidden bond. ### [Mr. Orridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/characters/mr_orridge) _professional_ Mr. Orridge serves as the family physician to Rosamond and her household. ### [Mr. Munder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/characters/mr_munder) _professional_ Mr. Munder acts as the family solicitor for Rosamond, handling legal matters regarding her inheritance. ### [Leonard Frankland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/characters/leonard_frankland) _family_ Husband and wife, deeply devoted to each other despite the secrets surrounding Rosamond's birth. ### [Leonard Frankland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/characters/leonard_frankland) _family_ Husband and wife, deeply devoted to each other despite the secrets surrounding Rosamond's birth. ### [Mrs. Jazeph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/characters/mrs_jazeph) _psychological_ Mrs. Jazeph (Sarah Leeson) is Rosamond's biological mother, but their relationship is defined by secrecy, guilt, and hidden maternal love. ### [Miss Sturch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/characters/miss_sturch) _friendship_ Miss Sturch is a close friend and confidante to Rosamond, offering companionship and support. ### [Mrs. Jazeph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/characters/mrs_jazeph) _psychological_ Mrs. Jazeph (Sarah Leeson) is Rosamond's biological mother, but their relationship is defined by secrecy, guilt, and hidden maternal love. ### [Sarah Leeson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/characters/sarah_leeson) _family_ Rosamond is the daughter of Sarah Leeson, though she does not know this, creating a poignant hidden bond. ## In the story ### [II: The Child](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/ii-the-child) The child, nearly five years old, is awake and crying for her mother, clinging to her father. ### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/book-ii) Her connection to the Treverton family and the tower becomes increasingly significant. ### [I: Fifteen Years After](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/i-fifteen-years-after) Recently married to Leonard Frankland; described as a charming, lively, and energetic girl who was popular in the Chennery household. ### [II: The Sale of Porthgenna Tower](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/ii-the-sale-of-porthgenna-tower) Mentioned as Captain Treverton's daughter, who moved with him after the sale. ### [III: The Bride and Bridegroom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/iii-the-bride-and-bridegroom) The bride, who shares the family secret of her mother's maid and plans the visit to Porthgenna Tower with her husband. ### [Book III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/book-iii) Now a mother, Rosamond is the central figure in the household, attended by the mysterious Mrs. Jazeph. ### [I: Timon of London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/i-timon-of-london) Mentioned as having written to the housekeeper at Porthgenna Tower about her and her husband's expected arrival. ### [II: Will They Come?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/ii-will-they-come) Mrs. Frankland, who insists on moving to Porthgenna despite her husband's objections, preferring the local doctor over others. ### [III: Mrs. Jazeph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/iii-mrs-jazeph) The patient; daughter of Captain Treverton; has just given birth to a son prematurely at the Tiger's Head inn. ### [IV: The New Nurse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/iv-the-new-nurse) Recovering from childbirth; becomes frightened by Mrs. Jazeph's strange behavior and the whispered warning about the Myrtle Room. ### [V: A Council of Three](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/v-a-council-of-three) Relates the nurse's warning about the Myrtle Room, expresses guilt over dismissing Mrs. Jazeph, and resolves to investigate the mystery at Porthgenna. ### [VI: Another Surprise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/vi-another-surprise) Mentioned as the one who was frightened by Mrs. Jazeph, prompting her dismissal from the Frankland household. ### [Book IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/book-iv) Arrives at Porthgenna Tower with her husband, central to the unfolding events. ### [I: A Plot Against the Secret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/i-a-plot-against-the-secret) Mentioned as the innocent threat; her curiosity about the old rooms drives Sarah's urgent plan. ### [Book V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/book-v) Arrives at Porthgenna Tower with her husband, actively involved in the discovery of the secret letter. ### [I: An Old Friend and a New Scheme](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/i-an-old-friend-and-a-new-scheme) Reads the letter from Porthgenna with deep interest; proposes traveling there but is prevented by illness; later writes to Doctor Chennery for advice. ### [III: Approaching the Precipice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/iii-approaching-the-precipice) Eager to explore the Myrtle Room, questions Betsey and the servants, becomes agitated by Leonard's guess about Mrs. Jazeph. ### [IV: Standing on the Brink](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/iv-standing-on-the-brink) Eagerly searches for the Myrtle Room, questions the gardener, and persuades Leonard to compromise on purchasing the plan. ### [V: The Myrtle Room](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/v-the-myrtle-room) Enters the Myrtle Room with Leonard, describes the decay, finds a hidden letter, and gives it to her husband after a moment of inner conflict. ### [VI: The Telling of the Secret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/vi-the-telling-of-the-secret) Rosamond is the central figure in this chapter, as she reveals the secret of her birth to Leonard. She is anxious, protective, and ultimately courageous in confessing the truth. ### [Book VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/book-vi) Arrives at Porthgenna Tower with her husband, eager to explore the estate and uncover its secrets. ### [I: Uncle Joseph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/i-uncle-joseph) Reads and analyzes the secret letter, identifies Mrs. Treverton's handwriting, and feels remorse for her harsh treatment of Mrs. Jazeph. She eagerly agrees to help Uncle Joseph bring Sarah back. ### [Waiting and Hoping](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/ii-waiting-and-hoping) Eager to reveal the secret to Sarah and make amends; decisive in planning the journey to London and the approach to Sarah. ### [III: The Story of the Past](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/iii-the-story-of-the-past) Listens intently to Uncle Joseph's story, reacting with pity and horror at the revelations. ### [IV: The Close of Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/iv-the-close-of-day) Visits her mother Sarah Leeson, feeling nervous but compassionate; tries to comfort her and distract her from painful memories. ### [V: Forty Thousand Pounds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/v-forty-thousand-pounds) Receives the return of her fortune, grieves for her mother, and supports Uncle Joseph. ### [VI: The Dawn of a New Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/vi-the-dawn-of-a-new-life) Leads the group at the grave, reads the epitaph, decides on the simple inscription, comforts Uncle Joseph, and vows to create a happy new life. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/characters/rosamond_frankland - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_secret_se/characters