# Aileen Butler — The Financier character guide > Aileen Butler in The Financier by Theodore Dreiser. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Aileen, Butler, old Butler **First appearance:** 0001-ii ## Snapshot Edward Butler's red-gold, headstrong daughter, she gives Frank Cowperwood a love that feels like spring and costs them both the world they knew. ## Who they are Aileen is the beautiful, dashing daughter of a political boss, raised Catholic and accustomed to being adored, and she falls for Cowperwood with a fervor that matches his own. To him she is not merely a mistress but a link between the wonderful days before the panic and a still-to-be-triumphant future, and he refuses to give her up even when discretion would save him. Her presence turns a financial scandal into a moral one, and the rumor of their connection does as much damage to Cowperwood's case as any ledger. ## Relationships ### [Father Michel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/characters/father_michel) _family_ Father Michel is Aileen's father, a powerful political figure who is deeply disappointed by her affair with Cowperwood. ### [Norah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/characters/norah) _family_ Norah is Aileen's younger sister, with whom she shares a close but sometimes strained sibling bond. ### [Father David](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/characters/father_david) _family_ Father David is Aileen's brother, who disapproves of her relationship with Cowperwood and tries to protect the family's honor. ### [Callum Butler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/characters/callum_butler) _family_ Callum is Aileen's brother, who is protective of her but ultimately powerless against her choices. ### [Mamie Calligan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/characters/mamie_calligan) _social_ Mamie Calligan is a servant or companion in the Butler household, with whom Aileen has a casual, everyday relationship. ### [Father David](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/characters/father_david) _family_ Father David is Aileen's brother, who disapproves of her relationship with Cowperwood and tries to protect the family's honor. ### [Father Michel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/characters/father_michel) _family_ Father Michel is Aileen's father, a powerful political figure who is deeply disappointed by her affair with Cowperwood. ### [Norah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/characters/norah) _family_ Norah is Aileen's younger sister, with whom she shares a close but sometimes strained sibling bond. ### [Father Michel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/characters/father_michel) _family_ Father Michel is Aileen's father, a powerful political figure who is deeply disappointed by her affair with Cowperwood. ### [Mamie Calligan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/characters/mamie_calligan) _social_ Mamie Calligan is a servant or companion in the Butler household, with whom Aileen has a casual, everyday relationship. ### [Norah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/characters/norah) _family_ Norah is Aileen's younger sister, with whom she shares a close but sometimes strained sibling bond. ### [Callum Butler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/characters/callum_butler) _family_ Callum is Aileen's brother, who is protective of her but ultimately powerless against her choices. ## In the story ### [The First Great Opportunity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xi) Butler's fifteen-year-old daughter, described as red-cheeked, blue-eyed, and vibrant; briefly encounters Cowperwood at her father's house. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xii) Mentioned as one of Butler's daughters; Cowperwood cautions Lillian not to overlook her. ### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xiii) Depicted as a vibrant, sensual eighteen-year-old with raw intelligence and vanity; drawn to Cowperwood's refinement and force, she performs for him and feels overawed in his presence. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xvii) Now nineteen, dissatisfied with her family's old house and yearning for refinement; increasingly drawn to Frank Cowperwood. ### [The Dance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xviii) Obsessively prepares for the ball, choosing a black sequined gown and applying beauty marks to attract Cowperwood. She is vibrant, self-conscious, and deeply infatuated. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xix) Aileen is drawn to Cowperwood's spirit, and after a kiss at the piano, she confesses her love, feeling intensely happy and overwhelmed. ### [The Blossoming of Illicit Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xx) Aileen's infatuation with Cowperwood intensifies; she yields to her passion despite her religious upbringing, engaging in secret meetings and rationalizing the affair. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxii) Secretly meets with Cowperwood and desires beautiful surroundings for their meeting place. ### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxiii) Overhears Cowperwood's visit and privately expresses her love and concern for him. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxvi) Confronted by her father about the affair; she denies it but is not believed, remaining loyal to Cowperwood. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxix) Aileen visits Cowperwood, distressed about her father's suspicion of their affair and Cowperwood's financial troubles. ### [The Double Blow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxx) Implied as the other woman in the anonymous letter; her relationship with Cowperwood is exposed. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxiii) Writes to Cowperwood warning him of her father's and the politicians' plans to 'get him'. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxiv) Follows Cowperwood's vicissitudes with bias and enthusiasm; she cuts out a reform association report that comforts her. ### [Butler's Investigation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxv) Avoids her father, still secretly in touch with Cowperwood; declines an invitation to travel to Europe with the Mollenhauers, which her father had secretly arranged. ### [The Confrontation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxvi) Meets Cowperwood at the assignation house, expresses fear of her father's discovery, and passionately declares her love and willingness to sacrifice. ### [Chapter XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxvii) Defiant and unrepentant after exposure; declares her love for Cowperwood and considers leaving home. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxviii) Determined to stay with Cowperwood despite her father's opposition; plans to run away but delays to visit the Steinmetzes; considers refuge with the Calligans. ### [The Trial Approaches](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxix) Has returned from West Chester to be near Cowperwood during his trial, despite risking conflict with her father. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xlv) Leaves her father's house, moves to the Calligans, and sends word to Cowperwood of her decision. ### [Chapter XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xlvi) Has run away from home; her absence drives the confrontation between Butler and Cowperwood. ### [Chapter XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xlvii) Her affair with Cowperwood is now widely gossiped about, contributing to Butler's vindictiveness and Cowperwood's social downfall. ### [Chapter L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/l) Aileen meets Cowperwood secretly in Camden, expressing fierce devotion and determination to visit him in prison. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/lii) Present in court, biting her fingers nervously, clenching her hands in rage and disappointment. ### [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/liv) Reads Cowperwood's letter with despair and is eager to visit him despite the peril. ### [Chapter LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/lv) Visits Cowperwood in his cell, comforts him, and expresses her unwavering love and devotion. ### [LVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/lvi) Visits Frank, gives money to Bonhag, and expresses unwavering belief in his future success; contrasts with Lillian's attitude. ### [LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/lvii) Openly hostile to her father after Cowperwood's imprisonment; her affair becomes known to her brothers. ### [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/lviii) Cowperwood thinks of her upon release; he plans to see her and discuss their future. ### [LIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/lix) Marries Cowperwood after his divorce and accompanies him to Chicago, ending her relationship with Philadelphia. ### [The Magic Crystal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/the-magic-crystal) Addressed with a more pathetic promise of hope and failure, locked out of brilliant society and love that eludes her. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/characters/aileen_butler - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/characters