# Mr. Bethany — The Return character guide

> Mr. Bethany in The Return by Walter de la Mare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Bethany, old Bethany

**First appearance:** 0003-ii

## Snapshot

The gold-spectacled vicar and old family friend, whose kindly, peering scrutiny of Lawford turns from pastoral concern to something closer to alarm.

## Who they are

Mr. Bethany arrives at the Lawford house expecting a domestic dispute and finds instead a man who will not raise his head. His manner is gentle, almost avuncular—he waves peace, he reminisces about Widderstone churchyard—but his shrewd eyes keep returning to Lawford's face, and what he sees there shrinks him into an old man. As the family's spiritual authority and a trusted confidant of Mrs. Lawford, he becomes a crucial witness to the uncanny, and his faltering faith in the ordinary will echo through the household.

## Relationships

### [Arthur Lawford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/characters/arthur_lawford)

_professional_

Arthur and Mr. Bethany have a professional relationship, likely as employer and employee or colleagues in a business setting.

### [Sheila](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/characters/sheila)

_professional_

Mr. Bethany and Sheila have a professional relationship, possibly as colleagues or through business dealings.

### [Mr. Danton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/characters/mr_danton)

_professional_

Mr. Bethany and Mr. Danton have a professional relationship, possibly as business partners or colleagues.

### [Arthur Lawford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/characters/arthur_lawford)

_professional_

Arthur and Mr. Bethany have a professional relationship, likely as employer and employee or colleagues in a business setting.

### [Sheila](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/characters/sheila)

_professional_

Mr. Bethany and Sheila have a professional relationship, possibly as colleagues or through business dealings.

### [Arthur Lawford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/characters/arthur_lawford)

_professional_

Arthur and Mr. Bethany have a professional relationship, likely as employer and employee or colleagues in a business setting.

### [Sheila](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/characters/sheila)

_professional_

Mr. Bethany and Sheila have a professional relationship, possibly as colleagues or through business dealings.

### [Mr. Danton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/characters/mr_danton)

_professional_

Mr. Bethany and Mr. Danton have a professional relationship, possibly as business partners or colleagues.

### [Mr. Danton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/characters/mr_danton)

_professional_

Mr. Bethany and Mr. Danton have a professional relationship, possibly as business partners or colleagues.

## In the story

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

Mentioned as the vicar Sheila consults for advice about Lawford's condition.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/iii)

Mr. Bethany visits to investigate Lawford's change, questions him closely, and is deeply shaken by the transformation he witnesses.

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

Devises the plan to hide the letter, returns early the next morning troubled by the problem of personality, and advises circumspection.

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

Visits Lawford, reports on the wedding, and expresses relief at Lawford's apparent improvement.

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

Referenced by Sheila regarding his belief that Lawford might change back.

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

Defends Lawford with faith and patience, argues against skepticism, and tries to mediate the situation.

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

Mentioned by Sheila as having no misgivings and understanding the situation.

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

Mr. Bethany visits Lawford, attempting to offer rational counsel and urging him to dismiss the supernatural ideas. He is anxious, fretful, and ultimately frustrated by Lawford's resistance and the strange atmosphere.

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

Mentioned as having invited Lawford to sleep at the Vicarage; Lawford watched his light from a wall.

### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/xvii)

Bethany is referenced as Lawford's 'sheet-anchor' who did not see the faintest resemblance to Sabathier, though Lawford notes he leaves his spectacles at home.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/characters/mr_bethany
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/characters