# Gabriel Betteredge — The Moonstone character guide > Gabriel Betteredge in The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Betteredge, Gabriel, old Betteredge, old Gabriel, Mr. Betteredge, Dear old Betteredge **First appearance:** 0002-i ## Snapshot The Verinders' long-serving steward, who narrates the opening of the case and consults Robinson Crusoe the way other men consult Scripture. ## Who they are Gabriel Betteredge has served the family for decades, knows every servant, every habit, and every grudge at the house, and opens his account of the Diamond with the confidence of a man who has seen everything. He is devoted to Rachel, suspicious of foreigners, and fond of Franklin in a fatherly way. His stubborn common sense and his habit of reading providence in Defoe make him both the story's warmest voice and its most unreliable witness. ## Relationships ### [Franklin Blake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/franklin_blake) _friendship_ Franklin and the Verinder family steward Gabriel share a warm, loyal friendship built on mutual respect and long acquaintance. ### [Sergeant Cuff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/sergeant_cuff) _professional_ Gabriel, as the Verinder steward, assists Sergeant Cuff's investigation but often clashes with the detective's methods and personality. ### [Rachel Verinder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/rachel_verinder) _family_ Gabriel is a devoted family servant who has known Rachel since childhood, treating her with paternal affection and loyalty. ### [Sergeant Cuff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/sergeant_cuff) _professional_ Gabriel, as the Verinder steward, assists Sergeant Cuff's investigation but often clashes with the detective's methods and personality. ### [Franklin Blake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/franklin_blake) _friendship_ Franklin and the Verinder family steward Gabriel share a warm, loyal friendship built on mutual respect and long acquaintance. ### [Franklin Blake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/franklin_blake) _friendship_ Franklin and the Verinder family steward Gabriel share a warm, loyal friendship built on mutual respect and long acquaintance. ### [Rachel Verinder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/rachel_verinder) _family_ Gabriel is a devoted family servant who has known Rachel since childhood, treating her with paternal affection and loyalty. ### [Sergeant Cuff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/sergeant_cuff) _professional_ Gabriel, as the Verinder steward, assists Sergeant Cuff's investigation but often clashes with the detective's methods and personality. ### [Rachel Verinder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/rachel_verinder) _family_ Gabriel is a devoted family servant who has known Rachel since childhood, treating her with paternal affection and loyalty. ## In the story ### [The Moonstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/the-moonstone) Betteredge is the narrator and steward of the Verinder estate, recounting the story. ### [First Period: The Loss of the Diamond (1848)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/first-period-the-loss-of-the-diamond-1848) Narrator and house-steward of Lady Verinder. ### [The Story of the Moonstone Begins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/i) The narrator and steward, who opens the story with his reflections on Robinson Crusoe and his role in recounting the Moonstone affair. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/ii) Narrator and longtime servant of the Verinder family; reflects on his life and service. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/iii) Narrator and steward of the Verinder estate; recalls the news of Franklin Blake's visit and encounters the Indian jugglers. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/iv) Narrates the chapter, fetches Rosanna from the sands, and reflects on her past and character. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/v) Narrates the chapter, recalling the Colonel's past and his own encounter with him. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/vi) The steward; converses with Franklin about the Moonstone, the Colonel's motives, and the threat of the Indians. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/vii) Narrates the chapter; discovers a small bottle on the walk, suspects the Indians, and later learns of Rosanna's strange behavior. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/viii) Narrator and steward; observes and reports on household events. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/ix) Narrates the chapter, oversees the birthday preparations, and receives news from his daughter Penelope about Rachel's refusal of Godfrey. ### [The Birthday Dinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/x) Narrates the chapter, serves as butler, observes the dinner's tension, and later consults Robinson Crusoe for comfort. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xi) Narrates the investigation, defends the servants, and offers to have them voluntarily submit to a search. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xii) Narrates the chapter, greets Sergeant Cuff, and assists in the investigation by questioning the servants. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xiii) Acts as intermediary and advisor; observes the interactions and conveys Rachel's refusal to Cuff. ### [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xiv) Narrates the chapter, mediates between the servants and Sergeant Cuff, and reluctantly reveals Rosanna's feelings for Franklin Blake. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xv) Accompanies Sergeant Cuff to the quicksand and Cobb's Hole; struggles with loyalty to Rosanna and the detective's logic. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xvii) Narrates the chapter, tries to counsel Rosanna, and reflects on the household's tension. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xviii) Narrates the chapter; struggles with his curiosity and dignity while interacting with Sergeant Cuff. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xix) Narrates the discovery of Rosanna's suicide, overcome with grief and guilt. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xx) Narrates the events, supports his daughter Penelope, and reflects on the emotional restraint required of the lower classes. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xxi) Narrates the scene, inwardly resenting Cuff's reasoning but holding to his lady's view. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xxii) Narrates the chapter, struggles with his conflicting feelings about Sergeant Cuff, and receives Lady Verinder's letter confirming Cuff's dismissal. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xxiii) Narrator who reflects on Cuff's predictions, confronts Limping Lucy, and bids farewell to Franklin Blake. ### [Second Period: The Discovery of the Truth (1848–1849)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/second-period-the-discovery-of-the-truth-1848-1849) As the steward, his account continues to be important. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as the 'heathen old man' father of Penelope, tolerated in the family. ### [Third Narrative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/third-narrative) Provides Franklin with background and assistance during the investigation. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/i) Franklin seeks him out as a source of missing links in the evidence. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/ii) Initially reluctant, but agrees to help Franklin after being convinced of his good intentions. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/iii) Accompanies Franklin to the quicksand, helps him follow Rosanna's instructions, and waits anxiously in the fir plantation. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/iv) Urges Franklin to read the letter and reflects on the past. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/v) Reads Rosanna Spearman's letter aloud; previously identified Mr. Candy's assistant as Ezra Jennings. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/viii) The Verinder house steward; Blake writes to him and later sends a messenger to meet him in Frizinghall. ### [Fourth Narrative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/fourth-narrative) Protests the experiment but obeys orders; insists on taking written notes and privately consults Robinson Crusoe. ### [Fifth Narrative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/fifth-narrative) Stays behind to refurnish the house, too occupied to feel the 'detective-fever'. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/iii) Joined Godfrey in persuading Franklin to drink brandy and water before bed. ### [Eighth Narrative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/eighth-narrative) Narrator of the eighth narrative; closes the story and reflects on the marriage of Rachel and Franklin. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/endnotes) His narrative is cited for comparison regarding the events of the birthday and the three days following. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/gabriel_betteredge - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters