# Leonora Wentworth — The Perpetual Curate character guide > Leonora Wentworth in The Perpetual Curate by Margaret Oliphant. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Miss Leonora Wentworth, Miss Wentworth, aunt Leonora **First appearance:** 0002-i ## Snapshot The eldest Miss Wentworth of Skelmersdale, an Evangelical aunt whose stern principles and hankering after Frank's Wharfside 'great work' make her a formidable ally or enemy. ## Who they are Miss Leonora Wentworth presides over the family's Evangelical conscience from Skelmersdale Park, disapproving of Frank's ritualist tendencies yet coveting the credit of his missionary success in Wharfside. She wants him settled in Skelmersdale and won over to her views, and she will not be denied access to the work she cannot quite appropriate. Her mixture of doctrinal severity and genuine family ambition makes her one of the Curate's most complicated obstacles. ## In the story ### [The Perpetual Curate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/the-perpetual-curate) Frank's aunt, involved in family dynamics. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/iii) Severe and intent on hearing Frank preach; critical of ritualism. ### [Mr. Wentworth's Easter Sermon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/iv) Aunt Leonora is present in the congregation, her severe iron-grey eyes fixed on Frank during the sermon, representing the family's disapproval. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/v) Takes the lead in the visit, questioning Mr. Morgan about Frank's actions with an iron-grey eye and a mix of criticism and familial concern. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/vi) Inspects Frank's schoolroom, finds Catholic materials, and grows more disapproving of his High Church practices. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/vii) Dominant aunt who firmly tells Frank that Skelmersdale is not possible and that Julia Trench has other prospects. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/viii) Stays at the Blue Boar, lingering in Carlingford to monitor Frank's work and hoping to influence him toward Skelmersdale. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/ix) Arrives in Carlingford with Dora; critical of Frank's work and Low-Church; inquires about Dissenting chapels. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xi) Preoccupied with letters about a gin-palace and missionary work, unaware of Dora's anxiety. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xiv) Confronts the Elsworthys about Rosa, dismisses the scandal, and later reflects on Frank's character, softening her stance. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xvii) Blamed by the Squire for possibly influencing Gerald with her Low-Church ways. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xxiv) Writing letters about the gin-palace issue; she listens to Jack's story but returns to her correspondence when Frank arrives. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xxix) Speaks about Gerald's rumored conversion and Skelmersdale; strong-minded and observant. ### [The Empty Room](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xxx) Attends church, observes Frank's sermon, and walks with him afterward, ignoring the Rosa Elsworthy scandal. ### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xxxiv) Frank's strong-minded aunt, treasurer of a Ladies' Association, who is moved by Frank's trust and later goes to the Wodehouse house to offer shelter. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xxxix) Present during Rosa's testimony; Rosa clings to her dress for protection. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xli) Struggles between duty and inclination, snubs everyone at luncheon, and opposes Frank's appointment to Skelmersdale due to doctrinal differences. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xliii) Mentally noted as Miss Wodehouse; she is the elder sister who anxiously clears the room and hopes for a generous deed from Tom. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xliv) Miss Leonora is described as explosive and dangerous during lunch, reflecting her internal conflict. ### [Mr. Wentworth's Evening and Jack's Farewell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xlvi) Agitated by Jack's accusations, defends her views on Church patronage but fails to silence him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/characters/leonora_wentworth - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/characters