# John Erskine — The Ladies Lindores character guide > John Erskine in The Ladies Lindores by Margaret Oliphant. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Erskine, young Erskine, Erskine of Dalrulzian **First appearance:** 0001-the-ladies-lindores ## Snapshot A young laird newly returned to Dalrulzian, well-liked and well-spoken, who finds himself drawn into the troubles of a neighboring marriage. ## Who they are John Erskine comes home to his inheritance with the easy standing of an old county name, only to be pulled into the orbit of Tinto by Torrance's rough enthusiasm and Carry's visible unhappiness. His pity for Lady Caroline and his discomfort with her husband's oppressive cordiality place him in an impossible position between neighborly duty and something more dangerous. He matters because his presence at Tinto becomes the quiet catalyst for the novel's central crisis. ## Relationships ### [Edith Lindores](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/characters/edith_lindores) _romantic_ Edith and John share a deep, mutual romantic attachment, though obstacles keep them apart. ### [Nora Barrington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/characters/nora_barrington) _friendship_ John and Nora are friendly acquaintances, though Nora's schemes often involve him. ### [Little Tom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/characters/little_tom) _friendship_ John is a kind and protective friend to Little Tom, a young boy in the household. ### [Sir James Montgomery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/characters/sir_james_montgomery) _professional_ John and Sir James are colleagues or professional acquaintances in legal or estate matters. ### [Mr. Beaufort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/characters/mr_beaufort) _friendship_ John and Mr. Beaufort are friendly acquaintances, possibly sharing social or business circles. ### [Mr. Monypenny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/characters/mr_monypenny) _professional_ John and Mr. Monypenny interact as lawyer and client or legal associates. ### [Edith Lindores](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/characters/edith_lindores) _romantic_ Edith and John share a deep, mutual romantic attachment, though obstacles keep them apart. ### [Nora Barrington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/characters/nora_barrington) _friendship_ John and Nora are friendly acquaintances, though Nora's schemes often involve him. ### [Little Tom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/characters/little_tom) _friendship_ John is a kind and protective friend to Little Tom, a young boy in the household. ### [Sir James Montgomery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/characters/sir_james_montgomery) _professional_ John and Sir James are colleagues or professional acquaintances in legal or estate matters. ### [Edith Lindores](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/characters/edith_lindores) _romantic_ Edith and John share a deep, mutual romantic attachment, though obstacles keep them apart. ### [Little Tom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/characters/little_tom) _friendship_ John is a kind and protective friend to Little Tom, a young boy in the household. ## In the story ### [The Ladies Lindores](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/the-ladies-lindores) Mentioned in relation to Edith, hinting at a romantic interest or connection. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/i) The young laird returning to Dalrulzian, raised in England with an exaggerated sense of his own importance and wealth. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/ii) Returns to Dalrulzian unannounced, experiencing disappointment and disenchantment upon seeing his home as a solid, unromantic reality. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/iii) Returns to Dalrulzian, recalls his past with the Lindores sisters, and feels excited at the prospect of meeting them again. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/vii) Receives visits from Lord Lindores and Torrance; feels the sting of his reduced social standing and is manipulated into supporting Rintoul's political ambitions. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/viii) Visits his aunt Miss Barbara at Dunearn; is warned about the Lindores family; feels irritated by being considered beneath their plans. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/x) John is present at the dinner, discussing his new home at Dalrulzian and being teased about marriage by Lady Lindores. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xi) Expresses his sense of being a 'man out of work' and his longing for purpose; rekindles private memories with Edith. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xii) Discussed as the subject of Nora's long-held expectations and as being in love with Edith. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xvi) Guest at Tinto, calmly answers Torrance's questions about his meeting with the Lindores, earns Torrance's drunken approval. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xvii) Struggles with croquet and with the constant questioning about the Lindores; receives a warning from Miss Barbara not to bind himself to them. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xviii) Drawn reluctantly into Tinto society; feels pity for Carry and forms an unspoken alliance with her; promises to act as a brother to her. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xix) Experiences a mix of joy and melancholy upon the Lindores' return; struggles with feelings of exclusion and the burden of responding to Beaufort's letter. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xx) Agrees to support Lord Lindores at the county meeting; has already advised Beaufort not to come North; feels a half-humorous consciousness of being used like Beaufort but without reward. ### [The Preparations at Dalrulzian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xxi) The host of the festivities; his invitation to his aunt is seen as proper and honorable, though he is not directly present in the chapter. ### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xxii) Hosts the ball and works to smooth over the quarrel between Rintoul and Torrance. ### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xxiii) Grows angry and bitter as he realizes Millefleurs is a suitor for Edith and that Lady Lindores is scheming to bring Beaufort to the neighborhood. ### [Chapter XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xxv) Awaiting the Lindores party at Tinto, he keenly observes the changed dynamics and exchanges a meaningful look with Edith. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xxvii) Seen by Millefleurs disappearing among the trees near Tinto, hinting at his ongoing presence in the background. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xxxi) Paralyzed by embarrassment and confusion, he cannot bring himself to tell Beaufort about Torrance's death or to visit Edith and Lady Lindores. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xxxii) Struggles with disbelief from Sir James and the weight of suspicion; encounters Edith and Miss Barbara before being summoned to court. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xxxiii) Detained by the sheriff under suspicion in Torrance's death; he maintains a defiant, contemptuous smile despite the accusation. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xxxv) Imprisoned and struggling with indignation and wounded pride, feeling abandoned by his friends and community. He receives Mr. Monypenny's visit with initial levity before revealing his deeper distress. ### [Chapter XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xxxvii) Discussed as ruined by the scandal of Torrance's death; Lord Lindores sees him as politically worthless and wishes him out of the way. ### [Chapter XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xxxviii) Though absent, his name dominates Rintoul's thoughts as the innocent victim of Rintoul's cowardice. ### [Chapter XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xxxix) Imprisoned; his absence causes distress at Dalrulzian. ### [Chapter XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xl) Edith writes him a letter of sympathy and indignation; nothing has been done for him despite promises. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xli) Briefly referenced in the context of Caroline's past alarm, which John had once witnessed. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xliii) Receives Edith's letter in prison, is buoyed by her support, and is exonerated at the examination after Rolls's confession. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xliv) Returns to Dalrulzian after imprisonment, consumed by thoughts of Edith and the meaning of her letter and glances. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xlvi) Eagerly visits Lindores, reunites with Edith, and has already urged Beaufort to leave the neighbourhood. ### [Chapter XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xlix) Married to Edith; content in his new life at Dalrulzian, unaware of Rolls's secret role in his trial. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/characters/john_erskine - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/characters