The Eustace Diamonds · Character

Patience Crabstick

Lizzie's maid, who becomes a key witness in the diamond theft case.

minor

Also known as Miss Patience Crabstick, Crabstick, Patience, Miss Crabstick

First appearance: xlix bunfit and gager

Patience Crabstick shows up with force in XXI: “Ianthe’s Soul”. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Lizzie's maid, who can do hair well but is not much closer to Lizzie than the footman.

In the storyXXI: “Ianthe’s Soul”Open this moment free

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In XXI: “Ianthe’s Soul”: Lizzie's maid, who can do hair well but is not much closer to Lizzie than the footman. Later, in A Midnight Adventure: Lizzie's maid, who is dismissed early and then descends to continue her…

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See Patience Crabstick in xlix bunfit and gager

Character Web

20 connections

A slice of how Patience Crabstick sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Diamond Theft Conspirators
Eustace Diamonds Circle
Lucinda's Tragic Circle
Greystock Family
Extended Society and Minor Characters

+15 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this passage, the narrative climax occurs as Lizzie Eustace reaches an emotional and psychological peak of…

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In the story

Patience Crabstick appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XXI: “Ianthe’s Soul”
Lizzie's maid, who can do hair well but is not much closer to Lizzie than the footman.
A Midnight Adventure
Lizzie's maid, who is dismissed early and then descends to continue her evening amusements.
The Journey to London
Gives reticent evidence; delivers message to Lizzie about Frank's arrival.
Humpty Dumpty
Gager believes she can reveal the secret of the diamonds' whereabouts; she has disappeared with Lizzie's money and trinkets.
The Fiddle with One String
Lizzie's former waiting-woman, hiding at the Ramsgate pub; she is persuaded by Gager to testify against the thieves and agrees to marry him.
Lizzie's Great Friend
Has given herself up as Queen's evidence and is now in custody in Scotland Yard.
LXII: “You Know Where My Heart Is”
Arrested by police and expected to turn against the thieves.
The Corsair Is Afraid
Referenced as the docile maid set to watch over Lizzie's belongings by Mr. Benjamin.
The Major
Mentioned as having confessed and agreed to testify against the thieves.
Lizzie at the Police-Court
Examined as a witness; described as obdurate and averse to incriminating herself.
The Trial
Testifies at the trial; later marries Mr. Gager.

Chapter companion notes

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See Patience Crabstick in xlix bunfit and gager

See Patience Crabstick in XXI: “Ianthe’s Soul”