# Godfrey Ablewhite — The Moonstone character guide > Godfrey Ablewhite in The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Godfrey Ablewhite, plain Mr. Ablewhite, Mr. Godfrey, Mr. Ablewhite, old Mr. Ablewhite, Godfrey, cousin Godfrey **First appearance:** 0002-i ## Snapshot Golden-tongued philanthropist and cousin whose charitable glow hides debts, evasions, and a very personal interest in the Diamond. ## Who they are Godfrey Ablewhite is the family favorite: handsome, eloquent, endlessly useful on committees, and perpetually short of money. He courts Rachel with the blessing of half the neighborhood while quietly juggling obligations he cannot meet. His charm is the story's most dangerous surface, and the gap between his public virtue and private need keeps the reader watching him long before the ledger is opened. ## Relationships ### [Rachel Verinder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/rachel_verinder) _romantic_ Godfrey courts Rachel as a suitor, but his motives are mercenary and he ultimately betrays her trust. ### [Aunt Ablewhite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/aunt_ablewhite) _family_ Aunt Ablewhite is Godfrey's mother, and she actively supports his schemes, including his mercenary courtship of Rachel. ### [Franklin Blake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/franklin_blake) _rivalry_ Franklin and Godfrey are romantic rivals for Rachel's affection, with Godfrey's deceitful nature ultimately exposing him as a villain. ### [Rachel Verinder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/rachel_verinder) _romantic_ Godfrey courts Rachel as a suitor, but his motives are mercenary and he ultimately betrays her trust. ### [Rachel Verinder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/rachel_verinder) _romantic_ Godfrey courts Rachel as a suitor, but his motives are mercenary and he ultimately betrays her trust. ### [Aunt Ablewhite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/aunt_ablewhite) _family_ Aunt Ablewhite is Godfrey's mother, and she actively supports his schemes, including his mercenary courtship of Rachel. ### [Franklin Blake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/franklin_blake) _rivalry_ Franklin and Godfrey are romantic rivals for Rachel's affection, with Godfrey's deceitful nature ultimately exposing him as a villain. ## In the story ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/viii) Sends a note and a china casket as a birthday gift for Rachel. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/ix) Appears subdued after being rejected by Rachel; returns from the rose garden with her in a grave manner. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/ix) Arrives as the first guest with his wife, the philanthropist's father. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xi) Expresses faith in Superintendent Seegrave; friendly with Franklin Blake. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xiii) Readily consents to the search of his luggage and delays his departure; leaves a farewell message for Rachel, indicating he will press his marriage suit. ### [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) His role in the theft and subsequent events is likely exposed. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/i) Victim of an outrage on June 30, 1848; he was lured to a house, seized, gagged, and searched by two men. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/ii) Portrayed as a Christian hero; he burns the declaration of innocence to protect Rachel's reputation, though Miss Clack views his actions as compromised. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as a suspect by Mr. Bruff due to his presence at the theft and his trip to London; Miss Clack defends his innocence. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/iv) The unexpected visitor who arrives at the house and is overheard by Miss Clack saying 'I'll do it today!' ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/v) Proposes to Rachel, using persuasive and evangelical rhetoric, and is accepted. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/vii) Rachel's fiancé; unable to accompany the party to Brighton due to business in town. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/viii) Mentioned as the jilted fiancé; his father confronts Rachel on his behalf. ### [Second Narrative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/second-narrative) Under suspicion by Mr. Bruff due to his financial troubles and behavior. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/i) Revealed to have mercenary motives for marrying Rachel; his conduct is described as meanly deceitful. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/iii) Briefly mentioned as a former suspect, cleared of suspicion by Mr. Bruff. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as having been engaged to Rachel, but the engagement was broken off. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/viii) Rachel's former fiancé; has left for the Continent after a broken engagement and receiving a legacy of five thousand pounds. ### [The Opium Experiment Proposed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/x) Briefly mentioned as being away travelling on the Continent, making it impossible to reassemble the original household. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/i) The subject of the report; the writer discusses the manner of his death and his proceedings before, during, and after his stay at Lady Verinder's country-house. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/ii) The deceased gentleman, murdered by smothering in his room at the tavern. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/iii) Revealed to have a double life as a charitable speaker and a man of pleasure; embezzled a £20,000 trust fund by forging signatures; proposed to Rachel to solve his debts; conspired to drug Franklin Blake. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/iv) Visits Mr. Luker to sell the Moonstone; confesses to drugging Franklin Blake and taking the diamond. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/v) Described as too great a fool to have invented the story; he negotiates with Mr. Luker, proposes marriage to Rachel Verinder twice, and later plans to cut the Moonstone in Amsterdam. ### [Epilogue: The Finding of the Diamond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/epilogue-the-finding-of-the-diamond) Exposed as the thief of the Moonstone and subsequently murdered. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/godfrey_ablewhite - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters