# Rosanna Spearman — The Moonstone character guide > Rosanna Spearman in The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Rosanna, Rosanna Spearman, Spearman **First appearance:** 0007-i ## Snapshot A reformed thief granted a second chance as the Verinders' second housemaid, she keeps her distance from the gossiping servants and hides a hopeless devotion. ## Who they are Lady Verinder plucked Rosanna from prison and reformatory on the matron's word that she was 'one in a thousand,' and the girl repaid the trust with quiet, careful work. Plain, solitary, and marked by a faint air of something not quite housemaid, she reads or sews while the other women gossip, making no friends but Penelope. Her secrecy and her habit of walking alone toward the lonely bay make her the household's most watchful and least legible figure. ## Relationships ### [Sergeant Cuff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/sergeant_cuff) _psychological_ Rosanna is obsessively fearful of Sergeant Cuff's detective work, as she is hiding evidence that implicates her secret love for Franklin Blake. ### [Franklin Blake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/franklin_blake) _psychological_ Rosanna is secretly and tragically in love with Franklin, who remains largely unaware of her intense devotion and the lengths she goes to for him. ### [Sergeant Cuff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/sergeant_cuff) _psychological_ Rosanna is obsessively fearful of Sergeant Cuff's detective work, as she is hiding evidence that implicates her secret love for Franklin Blake. ### [Franklin Blake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/franklin_blake) _psychological_ Rosanna is secretly and tragically in love with Franklin, who remains largely unaware of her intense devotion and the lengths she goes to for him. ### [Franklin Blake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/franklin_blake) _psychological_ Rosanna is secretly and tragically in love with Franklin, who remains largely unaware of her intense devotion and the lengths she goes to for him. ## In the story ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/iv) Second housemaid with a criminal past; drawn to the Shivering Sand and expresses a sense of loneliness and unquiet mind. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/vii) Exhibits unusual behavior after meeting Franklin: changes mood, asks questions about him, and scribbles his name in her workbox; Penelope suggests she has fallen in love at first sight. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/viii) Second housemaid; shows signs of infatuation with Franklin; steals a rose from his dressing-table; becomes impudent and is prescribed for by the doctor. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xiii) Brings the washing-book; appears pale and haggard; Cuff notes her past imprisonment for theft. ### [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xiv) Under suspicion for the theft; her locked door, fire at night, and secret trip to Frizinghall are revealed; she appears pale after her interview with Cuff. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xv) Subject of Cuff's investigation; suspected of hiding a paint-stained garment and planning to leave her position. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xvii) Shows alarming detachment and insists on confessing to Franklin Blake, rejecting Betteredge's advice. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xviii) Mentioned as having bought cloth for a substitute nightgown and posted a letter; suspected of hiding the stained nightgown at the Shivering Sand. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xix) Her footprints lead to the Shivering Sand; she leaves a farewell note indicating she chose to die there. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xxi) Posthumously implicated as Rachel's accomplice; her past as a thief and connection to a moneylender are highlighted. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/xxiii) Deceased; Limping Lucy speaks of her love for Franklin Blake and her plan to live with her in London. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as having left a sealed letter for Franklin, now in Limping Lucy's possession. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/iii) Deceased housemaid whose letter and hidden items (japanned tin case, dog's chains, nightgown) are central to the mystery. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/iv) Her confession letter is read aloud, revealing her love for Franklin and her discovery of the paint-stained nightgown. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/v) Author of the letter; describes hiding the nightgown on her person, her fear of Sergeant Cuff, her decision to conceal the nightgown in the Shivering Sand, and her suicidal thoughts if Franklin remains cold. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/chapters/vi) Rosanna's confession is examined; Mr. Bruff suggests she may have manipulated the evidence out of jealousy and a desire to drive Rachel and Franklin apart. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters/rosanna_spearman - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_moonstone_se/characters