Richard Swiveller

Nell Trent

Richard Swiveller is a kind-hearted friend to Nell, often helping her and her grandfather in their travels.

Sampson Brass

Richard Swiveller works as a clerk for Sampson Brass, though he is often mistreated and manipulated.

Daniel Quilp

Quilp views Swiveller with contempt and enjoys manipulating him for his own amusement.

The Small Servant

Richard Swiveller befriends the small servant (the Marchioness), rescuing her from abuse and becoming her protector.

Abel Garland

Abel Garland and Richard Swiveller become friendly acquaintances, with Abel helping Swiveller in his endeavors.

Sampson Brass

Richard Swiveller works as a clerk for Sampson Brass, though he is often mistreated and manipulated.

Nell Trent

Richard Swiveller is a kind-hearted friend to Nell, often helping her and her grandfather in their travels.

Daniel Quilp

Quilp views Swiveller with contempt and enjoys manipulating him for his own amusement.

Nell Trent

Richard Swiveller is a kind-hearted friend to Nell, often helping her and her grandfather in their travels.

The Small Servant

Richard Swiveller befriends the small servant (the Marchioness), rescuing her from abuse and becoming her protector.

The Small Servant

Richard Swiveller befriends the small servant (the Marchioness), rescuing her from abuse and becoming her protector.

Daniel Quilp

Quilp views Swiveller with contempt and enjoys manipulating him for his own amusement.

Chapter II

Frederick's friend, delivers a long, humorous speech urging the old man to reconcile and provide money.

Chapter III

Swiveller accompanies Quilp and attempts to mediate, hinting at the need for money ('fork') and performing a pantomime of secrecy before leaving.

VII

In his bachelor lodgings, Swiveller attempts to cheer his friend Fred Trent with gin-and-water and fanciful talk. He is persuaded to consider marrying Nell Trent for her expected inheritance.

Chapter VIII

Dances competitively, feuds with Cheggs, and schemes to avoid paying for dinner while planning to write a penitent letter to his aunt.

XIII

Visits the shop, learns of the flight, and leaves his card with Quilp.

XXI

Swiveller accompanies Quilp to Kit's home, expressing disappointment over a failed speculation, and is lured by Quilp to a riverside tavern.

XXIII

Drunkenly confides in Quilp, then later joins Trent in plotting against Nell.

XXXIII

Introduced by Quilp as a gentleman of good family who has fallen on hard times; he is bewildered by Miss Sally Brass and begins work as a clerk.

Chapter XXXIV

Accepts his clerkship under Brass with ironic resignation, explores the office, and deals with the arrival of the single gentleman.

Chapter XXXV

Now working as a clerk for Sampson Brass, he participates in the attempt to wake the lodger and later converses with him.

XXXVI

Rises in importance in the Brass household, entertains Miss Sally with tricks, and becomes curious about the small servant's treatment.

XXXVII

Favors the entertainments as a distraction from work; dusts Sally's headdress with the window glass.

XLVIII

Referenced in Quilp's recollection: while drunk at Brass's office, he hinted at the single gentleman's secret correspondence with Kit.

Quilp's Bachelor's Hall

Dines at his usual house; tells Quilp about Fred Trent's failed meeting with the grandfather and laments his lost love.

LVI

Enters Brass's office in a theatrical mood, wearing a black crape hatband and lamenting lost love; engages in banter with Chuckster and later receives an errand from Brass.

LVII

Left alone in the office, he discovers the small servant and teaches her cribbage.

LVIII

Plays cribbage with the Marchioness, suspects her of theft but decides to protect her, and reflects on his own trustworthiness.

LIX

Swiveller assists in pursuing and holding Kit, though he privately offers to let him escape. He discovers the bank note in Kit's hat.

Kit Accused

Brings the constable and unwillingly testifies about the note's position.

LXI

Sends Kit a pint of porter and a supportive note, signed 'R. S.', which Kit gratefully acknowledges.

LXII

Referenced as the lodger and object of Quilp's hatred; Quilp orders Brass to dismiss him after the trial.

LXIII

Helps Kit's mother after the trial; confronts Brass for coach fare; is dismissed and later falls ill with a fever.

LXIV

Lying ill and delirious, he gradually recovers and learns of the plot against Kit.

LXV

Lying ill in bed, he orchestrates the plan to save Kit by sending the Marchioness for Mr. Abel.

LXVI

Dick awakens from his illness, is tenderly nursed by the Marchioness, and discusses the plan to rescue Kit and punish Quilp.

LXXIII

Dick marries the Marchioness (Sophronia), becomes a domesticated husband, and remains a philosophical figure, though he long holds a grudge against Kit.