# Abel Wharton — The Prime Minister character guide > Abel Wharton in The Prime Minister by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Wharton, Mr. Abel Wharton, old Wharton, Abel **First appearance:** 0002-iii-mr-abel-wharton-q-c ## Snapshot A wealthy, plainspoken barrister who refuses to fund his son-in-law's ambitions and pays for that refusal in his daughter's unhappiness. ## Who they are Wharton is the cautious, unsentimental conscience of the Wharton family — a man who has made his own money and sees no reason to hand it to a son-in-law whose books he cannot inspect. His refusal to buy Lopez a seat in Parliament, or to advance him a loan against his inheritance, is the decision that hardens the marriage into a siege. He matters because his judgment, which everyone around him eventually concedes was right, comes too late to spare Emily, and his long effort to see her restored becomes the novel's slowest and most painful hope. ## Relationships ### [Ferdinand Lopez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/characters/ferdinand_lopez) _family_ Father-in-law and son-in-law; Abel deeply distrusts Ferdinand and opposes the marriage, leading to constant tension and hostility. ### [Emily Lopez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/characters/emily_lopez) _family_ Father and daughter; Abel loves Emily deeply but is disappointed by her marriage to Ferdinand, creating a strained but ultimately caring bond. ### [Ferdinand Lopez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/characters/ferdinand_lopez) _family_ Father-in-law and son-in-law; Abel deeply distrusts Ferdinand and opposes the marriage, leading to constant tension and hostility. ### [Emily Lopez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/characters/emily_lopez) _family_ Father and daughter; Abel loves Emily deeply but is disappointed by her marriage to Ferdinand, creating a strained but ultimately caring bond. ### [Emily Lopez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/characters/emily_lopez) _family_ Father and daughter; Abel loves Emily deeply but is disappointed by her marriage to Ferdinand, creating a strained but ultimately caring bond. ### [Ferdinand Lopez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/characters/ferdinand_lopez) _family_ Father-in-law and son-in-law; Abel deeply distrusts Ferdinand and opposes the marriage, leading to constant tension and hostility. ## In the story ### [Everett Wharton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/ii-everett-wharton) Mentioned as Everett's father, who is cold and reserved toward Lopez, though he has allowed Lopez to dine at his home. Everett believes his father would not pay for a parliamentary seat. ### [Mr. Abel Wharton, Q.C.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/iii-mr-abel-wharton-q-c) A wealthy, aging Equity barrister who values English lineage and is wary of Lopez's background and speculative business; he firmly but politely rejects Lopez's suit. ### [Mrs. Roby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/iv-mrs-roby) Disturbed by Lopez's proposal, he interrogates his son and sister-in-law about Lopez's character and intentions, determined to prevent the marriage. ### [No One Knows Anything About Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/v-no-one-knows-anything-about-him) Struggles with his daughter's plea; though convinced of Lopez's unsuitability due to his mysterious background, he fears he lacks the resolve to deny her. ### [Mrs. Dick's Dinner Party.—No. I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/ix-mrs-dick-s-dinner-party-no-i) Mr. Wharton struggles with his authority and doubts about his opposition to Lopez; he eventually agrees to attend the dinner where Lopez will be present. ### [X: Mrs. Dick’s Dinner Party.—No. II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/x-mrs-dick-s-dinner-party-no-ii) In misery throughout the dinner, watching Emily and Lopez together; considers taking his daughter far away to prevent the match. ### [XIII: Mr. Wharton Complains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xiii-mr-wharton-complains) Accuses Mrs. Roby of betrayal for arranging a meeting between Emily and Lopez; struggles with his opposition to Lopez and fears for Emily's happiness; decides to take Emily to Wharton Hall early. ### [A Lover's Perseverance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xiv-a-lover-s-perseverance) Remains opposed to Lopez, though shaken by Lopez's apparent prosperity and social success; fears the world and his daughter will side against him. ### [Arthur Fletcher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xv-arthur-fletcher) Mr. Wharton confides in Arthur, revealing his strong opposition to Lopez and his struggle to resist Emily's wishes. He walks with Arthur along the Wye and shares his settled resolutions. ### [Never Run Away!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xvi-never-run-away) Mr. Wharton is aware of Emily's preference for Lopez and shares the family's dismay, though he is not directly featured in this chapter's dialogue. ### [Goodbye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xvii-goodbye) Revealed to have informed Arthur of Emily's engagement and is expected to yield to Emily's wishes. ### [St. James's Park](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxii-st-james-s-park) Mentioned as Everett's father who refuses to fund his son's parliamentary ambitions and is critical of his spending. ### [Surrender](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxiii-surrender) Yields to his daughter's wishes and grants Lopez permission to marry Emily, though with deep personal reluctance and a sense of lost comfort. ### [The Marriage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxiv-the-marriage) Reluctantly consents to the marriage, remains cold and financially silent, and is wounded by Sir Alured's curt reply. ### [The Beginning of the Honeymoon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxv-the-beginning-of-the-honeymoon) Mentioned as the father who has not written to Emily or Lopez; his secrecy about finances is criticized by Lopez; the target of Lopez's financial demands. ### [The End of the Honeymoon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxvi-the-end-of-the-honeymoon) Writes a cold, brief letter agreeing to pay £3,000; dines at the Eldon and plays whist daily; feels lonely in London. ### [The Two Candidates for Silverbridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxix-the-two-candidates-for-silverbridge) Dines with Lopez and Emily; receives his daughter warmly but is described as ridiculing those who spend money to enter Parliament. ### [Yes;—A Lie!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxx-yes-a-lie) Mentioned as having dined with Lopez's party; discussed as a source of future wealth by Lopez, who expects to inherit or benefit from his fortune. ### [Yes;—with a Horsewhip in My Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxxi-yes-with-a-horsewhip-in-my-hand) Openly opposes Lopez's parliamentary ambitions, arguing the Duke's withdrawal makes a Conservative victory likely; criticizes the financial sense of the venture. ### [Lopez Back in London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxxv-lopez-back-in-london) Feeling lonely and softhearted, he agrees to pay Lopez's £500 election expenses and invites him to dinner, despite lingering hesitation about Lopez's affairs. ### [The Jolly Blackbird](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxxvi-the-jolly-blackbird) Invites Arthur to the Jolly Blackbird, shows melancholy and weakness over his daughter's marriage, and struggles to discuss Lopez's letter. ### [Get Round Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxxix-get-round-him) Described as very old and leaning on Lopez; his will and property are the focus of Lopez's schemes; he misses Emily's company. ### [Come and Try It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xl-come-and-try-it) Arranges for Emily and Lopez to live with him, writes a tender note to Emily, and sets strict household rules. ### [Retribution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xlii-retribution) Mentioned indirectly as the Duke reflects on the Silverbridge election and its consequences. ### [Kauri Gum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xliii-kauri-gum) Lopez's father-in-law, who had previously given Lopez £500 for election expenses; Lopez decides to conceal the Duke's cheque from him. ### [Mr. Wharton Intends to Make a New Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xliv-mr-wharton-intends-to-make-a-new-will) Mr. Wharton confronts Lopez about his finances, intending to make a new will. He demands transparency and exposes Lopez's lack of a stable business or income. ### [Mrs. Sexty Parker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xlv-mrs-sexty-parker) Mr. Wharton writes to Lopez demanding a schedule of assets and liabilities, feeling increasingly convinced that Lopez is an adventurer and regretting his daughter's marriage. ### [He Wants to Get Rich Too Quick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xlvi-he-wants-to-get-rich-too-quick) Is the recipient of Lopez's letter requesting financial assistance and is discussed as the source of potential money. ### [XLVII: As for Love!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xlvii-as-for-love) Absent in Brighton; his disapproval of Mrs. Leslie and Lady Eustace is noted, and Emily fears his reaction to the dinner party. ### [XLVIII: “Has He Ill-Treated You?”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xlviii-has-he-ill-treated-you) Returns home unexpectedly, finds the party in progress, comforts Emily, and enters the dining room to make apologies without confronting Lopez directly. ### [XLIX: “Where Is Guatemala?”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xlix-where-is-guatemala) Mr. Wharton firmly refuses further financial support to Lopez and offers to shelter Emily, but is left helpless as Lopez insists on taking her to Guatemala. ### [Coddling the Prime Minister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/li-coddling-the-prime-minister) Mentioned as likely to learn of the scandal, which would reveal Lopez's double payment of election expenses. ### [I Can Sleep Here Tonight, I Suppose?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lii-i-can-sleep-here-tonight-i-suppose) Wretched and conflicted, he confronts Lopez about the alleged fraud, but is unable to protect his daughter; spends the day in despair at his chambers. ### [Mr. Hartlepod](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/liii-mr-hartlepod) Visits Mr. Hartlepod at the San Juan Mining Company office, considering paying £5,000 for Lopez's shares and departure; struggles with his daughter's impending departure. ### [LIV: Lizzie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/liv-lizzie) Lopez's father-in-law, from whom Lopez hopes to extract £5,000. ### [Mrs. Parker's Sorrows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lv-mrs-parker-s-sorrows) Mr. Wharton is deeply distressed, having failed to negotiate Lopez's departure. He offers Mrs. Parker immediate relief but feels helpless to undo the damage. ### [The Explanation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lvii-the-explanation) Mentioned as the only person who knows the full extent of Lopez's villainy, having paid the election expenses twice. ### [LVIII: “Quite Settled”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lviii-quite-settled) Refuses to pay the promised £5,000 until Lopez is on his way to Guatemala; after the scheme fails, he resolves to buy Lopez off. ### [The First and the Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lix-the-first-and-the-last) Mr. Wharton is mentioned as having a final interview with Mr. Hartlepod and learning that Emily will not go to Guatemala, but he does not appear directly in the chapter. ### [The Tenway Junction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lx-the-tenway-junction) Corroborates that the mine scheme is off, expressing disgust at Lopez's continued presence in his house. ### [The Widow and Her Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxi-the-widow-and-her-friends) Emily's father who informs her of Lopez's death, supports her through illness, and rebuffs Mrs. Roby's attempts to visit. ### [There Must Be Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxv-there-must-be-time) Receives Arthur's letter and is torn between his own desire for Emily to move on and his awareness that she is not yet ready to see Arthur. ### [Mrs. Lopez Prepares to Move](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxvii-mrs-lopez-prepares-to-move) Pressures Emily to leave seclusion and visit Wharton; receives urgent news about the death of the Wharton heir. ### [Mrs. Parker's Fate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxix-mrs-parker-s-fate) Emily's father, who reluctantly agrees to provide financial support to Mrs. Parker, arranging a weekly pension to spare Emily further suffering. ### [At Wharton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxx-at-wharton) Accompanies Emily to Wharton Hall, gently encourages her to face Arthur Fletcher, and shows deep tenderness and forgiveness. ### [The Ladies at Longbarns Doubt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxxi-the-ladies-at-longbarns-doubt) Returns to London in mid-January, supports Emily's decision to stay in the country. ### [I Am Disgraced and Shamed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxxiv-i-am-disgraced-and-shamed) Supports Arthur's suit, discusses Emily's reduced fortune due to Lopez, and expresses hope for their marriage. ### [The Great Wharton Alliance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxxv-the-great-wharton-alliance) Struggles to confront Emily about Arthur Fletcher; remains silent and unhappy about her refusal to remarry. ### [The Wharton Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxxix-the-wharton-wedding) Emily's father; accompanies her to Herefordshire and is heartbroken by her resumption of weeds on the wedding day. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/characters/abel_wharton - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/characters