The Perfume of Eros · Character

Mrs. Price

A worldly woman whose presence in Fanny's orbit hints at the older generation's complicity in the game of love and money.

supporting

Also known as Fanny, the worldly Fanny

First appearance: v marie changes her name

As a supporting figure in The Perfume of Eros, Mrs. Price is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Annandale's love interest, later his wife.

In the storyThe Facts in the CaseOpen this moment free

Mrs. Price moves through the same social currents as Fanny and Sylvia, a figure of experience rather than debut. Her worldliness shadows Fanny's, suggesting the compromises and calculations that await the young. She matters as a quiet reminder that the perfume of Eros lingers on more than the young.

See Mrs. Price in The Facts in the Case Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Character Web

19 connections

A slice of how Mrs. Price sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Psychological
Social

Character groups

Social Circle and Family
Protagonist
Central and Shifting Identities

+14 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Marie’s realization that the piano holds no secret—that her year of obsessive pursuit of artistic and emotiona…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Arthur Annandale
psychological · negative
Arthur is deeply entangled with Mrs. How this plays out →
Royal Loftus
psychological · ambivalent
Sylvia Waldron
psychological · negative
Melanchthon Orr
psychological · negative
Lady Cloden
social · ambivalent
Arthur Annandale
psychological · negative
Arthur is deeply entangled with Mrs. How this plays out →
Royal Loftus
psychological · ambivalent
Arthur Annandale
psychological · negative
Arthur is deeply entangled with Mrs. How this plays out →
Royal Loftus
psychological · ambivalent
Sylvia Waldron
psychological · negative
Sylvia Waldron
psychological · negative
Melanchthon Orr
psychological · negative

Arthur Annandale
Arthur is deeply entangled with Mrs. Price, likely as a manipulative or obsessive figure in his life, with a high frequency of intense interactions.
Royal Loftus
Mrs. Price and Royal Loftus share a complex, possibly manipulative dynamic, with Mrs. Price exerting influence over Royal.
Sylvia Waldron
Mrs. Price has a manipulative or controlling relationship with Sylvia, using her as a pawn in larger schemes.
Melanchthon Orr
Melanchthon and Mrs. Price have a manipulative alliance, each trying to use the other for their own ends.
Lady Cloden
Lady Cloden and Mrs. Price are social acquaintances, possibly rivals in society but maintaining polite interactions.
Arthur Annandale
Arthur is deeply entangled with Mrs. Price, likely as a manipulative or obsessive figure in his life, with a high frequency of intense interactions.
Royal Loftus
Mrs. Price and Royal Loftus share a complex, possibly manipulative dynamic, with Mrs. Price exerting influence over Royal.
Arthur Annandale
Arthur is deeply entangled with Mrs. Price, likely as a manipulative or obsessive figure in his life, with a high frequency of intense interactions.
Royal Loftus
Mrs. Price and Royal Loftus share a complex, possibly manipulative dynamic, with Mrs. Price exerting influence over Royal.
Sylvia Waldron
Mrs. Price has a manipulative or controlling relationship with Sylvia, using her as a pawn in larger schemes.
Sylvia Waldron
Mrs. Price has a manipulative or controlling relationship with Sylvia, using her as a pawn in larger schemes.
Melanchthon Orr
Melanchthon and Mrs. Price have a manipulative alliance, each trying to use the other for their own ends.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Mrs. Price in v marie changes her name

In the story

Mrs. Price appears across 15 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Facts in the Case
Annandale's love interest, later his wife.
II: The Pocket Venus
Shows off her hat, jokes about her debts and Loftus, flirts with Loftus at Sherry's.
The Ex-First Lady
Mentioned as being 'ideal' but 'exacting, ambitious even' with a 'mania for matrimony' in Loftus's thoughts.
Sweet-and-Twenty
Meets Annandale at the Casino, encourages him to stay, and discusses Sylvia's engagement.
Two in a Turret
Declines Annandale's proposal, hints at caring for Loftus, and watches a hope fade.
Two in a Turret
Scolds Fanny for not securing Loftus, obsessed with a brilliant match.
IX: Fanny Changes Her Clothes
Fanny accepts Annandale's proposal after he rescues her clothes from the fire, though she is haunted by thoughts of Loftus.
IX: Fanny Changes Her Clothes
Mrs. Price is furious at Fanny's engagement to Annandale, lamenting that Fanny could have made a brilliant match but settled for a pauper.
X: A Victim
Writes to Sylvia announcing her engagement to Annandale, causing Sylvia's final heartbreak.
The General Sessions
A witness whose testimony about the events leading up to the murder is crucial to the prosecution's case.
II: The Mote in the Eye
Now married to Annandale, she lives a life of luxury but is unhappy because she still loves Loftus. She becomes elusive with her husband and hints to Mrs. Price that she may still end up with Loftus.
II: The Mote in the Eye
Fanny's mother, she warns Fanny about her public appearances with Loftus, but Fanny's response is cryptic.
The Return of the Yellow Fay
Hosts the dinner party, questions Loftus about Marie, and tells him she will speak to Annandale about their marriage, indicating she wants to leave him.
V: Exit Fanny
Accuses Annandale of murder and vows to testify against him in court.
Held Without Bail
Ill and in hiding, she dies of typhoid in July, causing Sylvia to feel guilt.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mrs. Price unlock in the free preview.

See Mrs. Price in v marie changes her name

See Mrs. Price in The Facts in the Case