The Last Chronicle of Barset · Character

Mrs. Arabin

The Dean of Barchester's wife, newly returned from Italy, who takes up John Eames's cause with Lily Dale and befriends the disgraced Grace Crawley.

supporting

Also known as Arabin, the Arabin, Light of Heart Mrs. Arabin

First appearance: LXX: Mrs. Arabin Is Caught

As a supporting figure in The Last Chronicle of Barset, Mrs. Arabin is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Mrs. Arabin moves through Barsetshire drawing rooms with a quiet purpose that belies her easy manners, seeking out Lily Dale at Chaldicotes to plead the case of the devoted Johnny Eames. She is a woman who repays her debts in kindness, having given Crawley the cheque that now threatens to destroy him, and who understands that a good name can be restored by those willing to vouch for it. Her willingness to champion both a lovesick clerk and a clergyman's accused daughter makes her the novel's quiet engine of reconciliation.

See Mrs. Arabin in LXX: Mrs. Arabin Is Caught Book page

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Character Web

5 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Extended cast and minor characters
Protagonist
Central plot characters
Crawley family associates

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this chapter, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when John Eames, after years of unrequited love f…

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In the story

Mrs. Arabin appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

LXX: Mrs. Arabin Is Caught
Reveals she gave Mr. Crawley the cheque; explains its origin from rent paid by Daniel Stringer; travels back to England with Eames.
Mr. Toogood at Silverbridge
Sent the telegram from Venice confessing she gave the cheque to Mr. Crawley.
LXXIV: The Crawleys Are Informed
Revealed to have slipped the cheque into the envelope with the notes, unknowingly causing Mr. Crawley's troubles.
I Think He Is Light of Heart
Gives deposition about the cheque; receives news of Mr. Harding's decline; visits Lily Dale to advocate for John Eames.
The Shattered Tree
Advises John Eames that Lily doubts his earnestness and arranges his final meeting with Lily.
Barchester Cloisters
Attends her father in his final hours and grieves deeply after his death.

Chapter companion notes

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See Mrs. Arabin in LXX: Mrs. Arabin Is Caught