The Nebuly Coat · Character

Miss Anastasia Joliffe

The elder Miss Joliffe, a proud, bookish woman who reads Northanger Abbey and half-hopes a stranger at the door will bring a Henry Tilney.

major

Also known as Miss Joliffe, Anastasia, Anastasia Joliffe, the elder Miss Joliffe

First appearance: i

As a major figure in The Nebuly Coat, Miss Anastasia Joliffe is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Euphemia's niece, a young woman with a delicate bloom but a troubled look, dressed in black with a coral necklace.

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Anastasia keeps her aunt's lodging-house at Bellevue Lodge and is not permitted to answer the bell when her aunt is home, so her encounter with the dark-clad stranger feels like a scene she has been rehearsing from a novel. She has a flair for useless distinctions of class and a romantic appetite for momentous announcements, which makes her both perceptive and vulnerable in a town that trades in gossip. Her reading of people, and her family's buried history, quietly steer the mystery forward.

See Miss Anastasia Joliffe in Chapter II Book page

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Character Web

23 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Protagonist
Cullerne Church & Clergy
Joliffe & Blandamer Circle

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Westray reaches his emotional and psychological peak here as he confronts the full weight of his "repugnant bu…

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In the story

Miss Anastasia Joliffe appears across 17 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter II
Euphemia's niece, a young woman with a delicate bloom but a troubled look, dressed in black with a coral necklace.
Chapter III
Anastasia is revealed to be the violinist in Sharnall's lesson. She answers Westray's bell with downcast eyes and a weary voice, and later breaks down crying to Sharnall about her family's financial struggles and her aunt's overwork.
Chapter IV
Mentioned as the keeper of the large flower picture that Sophia painted, which now hangs in Westray's room.
VII
Anastasia receives Lord Blandamer, shows him to Westray's room, and tries to hide her excitement. She reflects on her father Martin Joliffe's death and her own romantic imagination.
VIII
Waits anxiously in the kitchen during Lord Blandamer's visit, later becomes upset and defensive when Westray and Sharnall criticize him.
IX
Delivers Blandamer's letter to Westray and thinks about Lord Blandamer after their previous encounter.
X
Brings tea to Sharnall's room during Blandamer's visit; is in financial distress due to Martin's debts; considers selling the flower picture.
Chapter XI
Laughs at the idea of a claim to the Blandamer peerage and rallies both Sharnall and Westray.
Chapter XV
Object of Westray's affection and concern; her indifference to news of Lord Blandamer's visit is noted.
XVI
Anastasia receives Westray's marriage proposal and contemplates her own talents and ambitions, including becoming a novelist. She resents the proposal and decides to reject it.
Chapter XVII
Isolated in Cullerne, she longs for a wider life and romance; becomes deeply interested in Lord Blandamer.
XVIII
Anastasia is surprised and overwhelmed by Lord Blandamer's visit and proposal, feeling both joy and shame. She writes a letter to him and prepares to leave for London.
XIX
Marries Lord Blandamer and returns to Cullerne as Lady Blandamer, hosting receptions at Bellevue Lodge.
XX
Mentioned as the object of Westray's former affection; she is now married to Lord Blandamer and living at Fording.
Chapter XXI
Now Lady Blandamer, she works on unfinished tapestry and senses something amiss with her husband.
XXII
Mentioned as Lady Blandamer; she is absent for part of the evening, later joins the morning stroll, and expresses a desire to see Cullerne Minster again.
Epilogue
Now Lady Blandamer; funded the tower's reconstruction.

Chapter companion notes

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See Miss Anastasia Joliffe in i

See Miss Anastasia Joliffe in Chapter II