# Rosa Elsworthy — The Perpetual Curate character guide > Rosa Elsworthy in The Perpetual Curate by Margaret Oliphant. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Rosa, little Rosa, Rosa Elsworthy **First appearance:** 0004-iii ## Snapshot A pretty young girl whose late-night wanderings and entanglement with a gentleman's attentions make her the centre of a Carlingford scandal and a test of everyone's charity. ## Who they are Rosa Elsworthy is the daughter of St. Roque's clerk, a child whose beauty and heedlessness have drawn the Curate's warnings and her father's furious, wounded pride. Her name becomes a weapon in Elsworthy's hands when he accuses Frank of taking particular notice of her, and the scandal she trails behind her divides the parish and strains the Curate's standing. Her plight forces Lucy Wodehouse and others to reckon with what compassion costs when reputation is at stake. ## Relationships ### [Frank Wentworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/characters/frank_wentworth) _psychological_ Rosa is infatuated with Frank and attempts to manipulate him into a relationship, causing tension and scandal. ### [Lucy Wodehouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/characters/lucy_wodehouse) _rivalry_ Lucy and Rosa are romantic rivals for Frank's affection, leading to jealousy and conflict. ### [Frank Wentworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/characters/frank_wentworth) _psychological_ Rosa is infatuated with Frank and attempts to manipulate him into a relationship, causing tension and scandal. ### [Lucy Wodehouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/characters/lucy_wodehouse) _rivalry_ Lucy and Rosa are romantic rivals for Frank's affection, leading to jealousy and conflict. ### [Frank Wentworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/characters/frank_wentworth) _psychological_ Rosa is infatuated with Frank and attempts to manipulate him into a relationship, causing tension and scandal. ### [Lucy Wodehouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/characters/lucy_wodehouse) _rivalry_ Lucy and Rosa are romantic rivals for Frank's affection, leading to jealousy and conflict. ## In the story ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/vi) The pretty young niece of Mr. Elsworthy, who gazes at Frank with awe. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/ix) Noted by Miss Wodehouse as standing at the door and being spoken to by passersby; a concern for her welfare. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xi) Defiant and tearful when confronted by Miss Dora; insists Frank insisted on walking with her. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xii) The young woman at the center of the gossip, said to have been seen walking with Mr. Wentworth at an unseemly hour. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xiii) Mentioned in gossip as being secretly met by Frank Wentworth. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xiv) Seen at the window, flattered by the attention but humbled when Leonora dismisses her as a mere shop girl. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xx) Mentioned as having been sent away by her aunt because of gossip; Frank demands her immediate return. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xxiv) Hands Mr. Wentworth paper in the shop; he warns her not to go into Grange Lane after dark. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xxv) Missing since the previous night; her uncle Elsworthy desperately searches for her, believing Frank knows her whereabouts. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xxvii) Mentioned as the girl who has disappeared, and whose absence fuels the scandal threatening Frank. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xxxi) Mentioned as the missing girl at the center of the scandal; her disappearance fuels the accusations. ### [Mr. Wentworth's Day of Reckoning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xxxv) Visits Frank's house while he is out; described as changed and agitated; leaves without satisfaction. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xxxix) Brought as a witness; initially simpers and pleads for help, then identifies Tom Wodehouse as her betrayer and collapses in shame. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xlii) Locked in a dark room by her aunt, sobbing and crying out that nobody cares for her; her sobs move the errand-boys and even Peter Hayles. ### [Chapter XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xlvii) Has disappeared from her uncle's house, leaving a letter saying she will be made a lady; the town discusses her fate. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/chapters/xlviii) Mentioned by Elsworthy as having led him into trouble and then left without gratitude. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/characters/rosa_elsworthy - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perpetual_curate_se/characters