# Rosamond — The Professor’s House character guide

> Rosamond in The Professor’s House by Willa Cather.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Rosamond St. Peter

**First appearance:** 0003-book-i-the-family

## Snapshot

St. Peter's elder daughter, a striking dark-haired woman whose marriage to Louie Marsellus and inheritance of Tom Outland's fortune have made her imperious and changed.

## Who they are

Rosamond was married before her younger sister Kathleen, and her union with the wealthy, effusive Louie Marsellus has transformed both her circumstances and her character. She is building an ambitious country house on Lake Michigan and moving through the world with a confidence that her father finds bewildering. When St. Peter declines to join the family's new life, Rosamond is incredulous and piqued, unable to understand a refusal of what seems to her simple generosity.

## In the story

### [Book I: The Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/book-i-the-family)

Present at the dinner, supportive of Louie's plans.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/i)

One of the daughters, mentioned in relation to the dress forms and the house's shortcomings.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/ii)

Dining with her husband Louie, she is described as brilliantly beautiful but with a heavy figure. She is sensitive about her husband's tactless remarks.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/iv)

Visits her father to offer him an income from Tom Outland's fortune, but is perplexed and resentful when he refuses.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/vi)

The intended recipient of the emerald necklace and birthday surprise, though she is not present in the scene.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/vii)

Shows off her new taupe fur coat, selected by Louie, and displays a haughty demeanor.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/viii)

Present at the Chicago events; receives emeralds from Louie at the birthday dinner.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/ix)

Present at the dinner, she shows her jewelry to Kitty and seems displeased when Louie mentions a bracelet from her past.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/x)

Reproves Kathleen for giggling and also receives a turquoise from Tom.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/xi)

Refuses to help Augusta, causing St. Peter's displeasure.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/xiv)

Goes shopping in Chicago with her father, exhibits a 'faultless purchasing manner,' and stays on at the Blackstone.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/xv)

Piqued by her father's refusal, she is eager for the trip and practical about shopping for the house.

### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/xvi)

Opposes giving furniture to McGregors, reveals Scott's blackballing, shows coldness and pride.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned as one of the daughters, a result of the Professor's young manhood.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/v)

Recalled in the context of a painful shopping expedition in Chicago.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/characters/rosamond_st_peter
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/characters