# Patrick Torrance — The Ladies Lindores character guide

> Patrick Torrance in The Ladies Lindores by Margaret Oliphant.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Pat Torrance, Mr. Torrance

**First appearance:** 0001-the-ladies-lindores

## Snapshot

A rich, coarse-mannered suitor whose proposal to Carry Lindores exposes the fault lines between her family's ambition and her own heart.

## Who they are

Patrick Torrance is the kind of wealthy neighbor the county tolerates and the Lindores privately dread, a man whose money makes him a serious suitor and whose manner makes him an impossible one. His proposal to Carry, and her terrified refusal, force her to confront how much her father's ambitions may weigh against her own wishes. He matters because he is the test case for the novel's central question: whether a daughter's happiness can survive the pressures of family expectation.

## Relationships

### [Edith Lindores](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/characters/edith_lindores)

_family_

Patrick Torrance is Edith's brother, with a sibling relationship marked by affection and occasional conflict.

### [Edith Lindores](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/characters/edith_lindores)

_family_

Patrick Torrance is Edith's brother, with a sibling relationship marked by affection and occasional conflict.

### [Edith Lindores](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/characters/edith_lindores)

_family_

Patrick Torrance is Edith's brother, with a sibling relationship marked by affection and occasional conflict.

## In the story

### [Mr. Torrance of Tinto](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/v)

The son of Mr. Torrance of Tinto, described as a man without intellectual tastes, horsey and doggy, who inspects marriageable girls with serious intent.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/vi)

Determined to marry Caroline after her refusal, he pursues her relentlessly and haggles over settlements.

### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/vii)

Calls on John; displays vulgar arrogance and underlying insecurity, contrasting sharply with John's breeding.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/ix)

Torrance confronts his wife about his visit to Dalrulzian, revealing his suspicion and his cruel intention to invite Erskine to torture her. He is described as sulky, jealous, and overawed by Edith's presence.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xiii)

Mentioned as Carry's husband, described by Rintoul as 'rather a brute' but with a great place and position.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xvi)

Hosts the dinner, attempts to question John Erskine, becomes drunk and boisterous, ultimately convinced of John's honesty.

### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xvii)

Mentioned in gossip as possibly abusive toward Lady Caroline; John avoids giving an opinion.

### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xviii)

Shows rough enthusiasm for John; experiences a softened mood during the evening; expresses willingness to take Carry to London next year.

### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xxii)

Makes a loud, cynical speech about marriage that sparks a confrontation with Rintoul.

### [Chapter XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xxv)

In high good-humour, he shows off his house and wife, but is affronted by Millefleurs's lack of awe.

### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xxvi)

Found dead at the bottom of the Scaur after a struggle.

### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xxxi)

His death is the central event of the chapter; the countryside mourns and speculates about foul play.

### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xxxv)

Deceased; his death by falling over the Scaur is the central event under investigation, with suspicion falling on John Erskine.

### [Chapter XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xxxix)

Deceased; the scene of his death is revisited by Rolls.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/characters/patrick_torrance
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/characters