# Cynthia Drassilis — The Little Nugget character guide

> Cynthia Drassilis in The Little Nugget by P. G. Wodehouse.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Cynthia, Drassilis

**First appearance:** 0002-ii

## Snapshot

Peter Burns's young fiancée, whose trusting letter and unshaken belief in him become the moral weight he cannot shake off.

## Who they are

Cynthia is largely offstage but never absent: her letter to Peter, and her evident love for him, sit in his pocket and his conscience throughout his time at Sanstead. When Audrey learns of the engagement, it changes everything — Audrey refuses to let Peter abandon a girl who believes in him, and Cynthia becomes the third point of a triangle that neither woman will let Peter resolve by selfishness. Her faith in him is the quiet standard against which his choices are measured.

## Relationships

### [Ogden Ford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/characters/ogden_ford)

_professional_

Cynthia is Ogden's governess, tasked with managing and educating the difficult child.

### [Peter Burns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/characters/peter_burns)

_romantic_

They share a romantic history and unresolved feelings, with Peter working undercover at the school where Cynthia teaches.

### [Ogden Ford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/characters/ogden_ford)

_professional_

Cynthia is Ogden's governess, tasked with managing and educating the difficult child.

### [Peter Burns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/characters/peter_burns)

_romantic_

They share a romantic history and unresolved feelings, with Peter working undercover at the school where Cynthia teaches.

### [Ogden Ford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/characters/ogden_ford)

_professional_

Cynthia is Ogden's governess, tasked with managing and educating the difficult child.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/i)

Returns Ogden to Mrs. Ford and receives payment for her help.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/ii)

Attempts to bribe Mrs. Sheridan, reveals her engagement to Peter Burns, and plans to use him to kidnap Ogden.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/i)

Peter's fiancée, who is concerned about his involvement in the scheme but ultimately supports him.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/i)

Peter's fiancée; described as a statue in black, tired and pale at the ball, with a brother-sister dynamic with Peter.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/ii)

Cynthia calls Peter to the hotel, expresses doubts about his motives for marriage, reveals her knowledge of Audrey Blake, and confesses that she has already kidnapped Ogden Ford. She persuades Peter to assist her.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/iii)

Peter's fiancée; helps plan the scheme and reveals Ogden is to attend Sanstead House.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/ii)

Peter's fiancée; sent him to Sanstead House to kidnap Ogden.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/v)

Mentioned as Peter's fiancée; a letter from her arrives at breakfast.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/i)

Writes a letter to Peter pressing him to kidnap Ogden Ford quickly.

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

Peter's current fiancée; his loyalty to her is tested by his rekindled feelings for Audrey.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/xi)

Sends a short, formal letter to Peter asking if his feelings are still the same.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/ii)

Cynthia's letter to Peter, asking him to kidnap Ogden, is used by Sam as evidence against Peter.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/chapters/xiv)

Meets with Peter in London, reveals her mother's involvement with Mrs. Ford and the kidnapping scheme.

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

Referenced through Peter's memory of her letter; her engagement to Peter is a central moral obstacle.

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

Cynthia is mentioned as having fallen in love with Lord Mountry and writing a letter to Peter, which he misunderstood.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/characters/cynthia_drassilis
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_nugget_se/characters