# Lady Cantrip — The Duke’s Children character guide

> Lady Cantrip in The Duke’s Children by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Cantrip

**First appearance:** 0001-ii-lady-mary-palliser

## Snapshot

A society matron enlisted by the Duke to chaperone Lady Mary, she takes the girl to The Horns and quietly becomes the confidante of a father's grief.

## Who they are

Lady Cantrip is the respectable widow the Duke trusts to keep Mary occupied and away from Tregear, and she accepts the charge with a mixture of kindness and worldly realism. When the Duke finally tells her the whole story, her repeated 'Poor girl!' and her wry smile at his immense wealth reveal a woman who sees more than he wishes her to. She matters because she becomes the intermediary through whom the Duke's rigid opposition to the match is tested and softened.

## In the story

### [When the Duchess Was Dead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duke_s_children_se/chapters/i-when-the-duchess-was-dead)

Considered by the Duke as a possible companion for Lady Mary.

### [It Is Impossible](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duke_s_children_se/chapters/v-it-is-impossible)

Suggested by the Duke as a potential companion for Lady Mary, though Lady Mary is indifferent to the idea.

### [Cruel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duke_s_children_se/chapters/xi-cruel)

Agrees to host Lady Mary at The Horns; discusses Mary's situation with the Duke and suggests that Mary may forget Tregear if she meets other men.

### [At Richmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duke_s_children_se/chapters/xii-at-richmond)

Hosts Lady Mary at The Horns and investigates Tregear's character; mediates between the Duke and Mrs. Finn.

### [The Duke Receives a Letter—and Writes One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duke_s_children_se/chapters/xv-the-duke-receives-a-letter-and-writes-one)

Considered by the Duke as a potential confidante to validate his judgment on Mrs. Finn.

### [The Duke in His Study](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duke_s_children_se/chapters/xxii-the-duke-in-his-study)

Serves as the Duke's judge on Mrs. Finn's conduct; advises that young people in love often prevail.

### [She Must Be Made to Obey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duke_s_children_se/chapters/xxiv-she-must-be-made-to-obey)

Advises the Duke on Lady Mary's obstinacy, shows him her letters, and warns that forcing obedience may cause lasting suffering.

### [The Lovers Meet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duke_s_children_se/chapters/xxix-the-lovers-meet)

Approves of Lady Mary's outing and discusses Silverbridge's interest in Isabel Boncassen.

### [What Came of the Meeting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duke_s_children_se/chapters/xxx-what-came-of-the-meeting)

Listens to Mary's confession and agrees to write to the Duke about the meeting, though she struggles with how to describe the embrace.

### [Lord Popplecourt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duke_s_children_se/chapters/xxxiv-lord-popplecourt)

Reluctantly aids the Duke's matchmaking plan, feeling hypocritical and doubtful of its success.

### [Don’t You Think—?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duke_s_children_se/chapters/xxxv-don-t-you-think)

Arranges the seating and actively promotes a marriage between Lord Popplecourt and Lady Mary.

### [Lady Mary's Dream](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duke_s_children_se/chapters/xlvi-lady-mary-s-dream)

Orchestrates the matchmaking, gives Popplecourt hints, and later warns him not to mention Tregear to the Duke.

### [Miss Boncassen's Idea of Heaven](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duke_s_children_se/chapters/xlvii-miss-boncassen-s-idea-of-heaven)

Nervous about Lady Mary's intimacy with Isabel; speaks to the Duke and Popplecourt about Mary.

### [The Party at Custins Is Broken Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duke_s_children_se/chapters/xlviii-the-party-at-custins-is-broken-up)

Attempts to arrange a match between Lady Mary and Lord Popplecourt; fails due to Mary's resistance, and vows never to interfere again.

### [L: The Duke’s Arguments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duke_s_children_se/chapters/l-the-duke-s-arguments)

Advises the Duke to yield to Mary's wishes, arguing that Mary will not marry anyone else and that Tregear is clever and well-conducted.

### [The First Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duke_s_children_se/chapters/lxxix-the-first-wedding)

Mentioned by Lady Mary as having been tasked with supervising her during the separation.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duke_s_children_se/characters/lady_cantrip
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duke_s_children_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_duke_s_children_se/characters