# Lady Linlithgow — The Eustace Diamonds character guide

> Lady Linlithgow in The Eustace Diamonds by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** old Lady Linlithgow, Linlithgow, Old Lady Linlithgow

**First appearance:** 0005-vi-lady-linlithgow-s-mission

## Snapshot

Lizzie's formidable old aunt, hard as an oak post and just as trustworthy, who once gave her niece shelter and now arrives unannounced with business.

## Who they are

Lady Linlithgow is one of those old women who seem always to have been old, a countess who knows nothing of fear, charity, or the softness of love, yet means to be honest and dutiful in her own severe fashion. She took Lizzie in when Lizzie was homeless, endured her niece's ingratitude, and was cast off the moment Lizzie had a roof of her own; now her sudden appearance in Mount Street throws Lizzie into a shaking panic. Her arrival matters because she carries the social and moral weight Lizzie has spent the whole novel dodging, and because she is the one person in the book Lizzie cannot charm, bribe, or outface.

## In the story

### [Lizzie Greystock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eustace_diamonds_se/chapters/i-lizzie-greystock)

Lizzie's aunt and guardian; a stingy, ill-tempered countess who reluctantly takes Lizzie in and hopes to arrange a splendid marriage for her.

### [Lady Eustace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eustace_diamonds_se/chapters/ii-lady-eustace)

Lizzie's aunt, whom Lizzie refuses to invite to Scotland, causing further family friction.

### [Lady Linlithgow's Mission](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eustace_diamonds_se/chapters/vi-lady-linlithgow-s-mission)

Visits Lizzie to demand the return of the diamonds, threatening prosecution and prison. She is described as hard, truthful, and merciless, acting out of a sense of duty.

### [The Conquering Hero Comes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eustace_diamonds_se/chapters/viii-the-conquering-hero-comes)

Interrupted Frank Greystock's proposal earlier; mentioned as an obstacle.

### [X: Lizzie and Her Lover](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eustace_diamonds_se/chapters/x-lizzie-and-her-lover)

Lizzie writes to her aunt announcing the engagement to Lord Fawn in a sharp tone.

### [Lady Linlithgow at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eustace_diamonds_se/chapters/xxxiv-lady-linlithgow-at-home)

Lady Linlithgow interrogates Lucy about her lover, deduces it is Frank Greystock, and criticizes the arrangement.

### [Too Bad for Sympathy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eustace_diamonds_se/chapters/xxxv-too-bad-for-sympathy)

Writes to Mrs. Greystock revealing Lucy's claim of engagement to Frank.

### [Lucy Morris in Brook Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eustace_diamonds_se/chapters/xlvi-lucy-morris-in-brook-street)

Receives Lizzie's visit, expresses skepticism about the theft and Lord George's character, and warns Lucy about Lizzie's associates.

### [Lizzie Returns to Scotland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eustace_diamonds_se/chapters/lxxvi-lizzie-returns-to-scotland)

Mentored in Lucy's thoughts; comments cynically on the rumored match between Lizzie and Frank.

### [The Story of Lucy Morris Is Concluded](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eustace_diamonds_se/chapters/lxxvii-the-story-of-lucy-morris-is-concluded)

Bids Lucy farewell, offers her money which Lucy refuses, and expresses concern about Frank Greystock's involvement with Lizzie.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eustace_diamonds_se/characters/lady_linlithgow
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eustace_diamonds_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eustace_diamonds_se/characters