# Mr. Danton — The Return character guide

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

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Danton

**First appearance:** 0005-iv

## Snapshot

A soft-voiced visitor whose easy laughter and sharp observations unsettle the Lawford household and whose testimony about Arthur carries uncomfortable weight.

## Who they are

Danton moves through the drawing-room conversation with a languid confidence, debating whether a woman would know her own husband and offering his own account of confronting Lawford face to face. He is neither hostile nor credulous—he admits he disbelieved the story until he saw it—and his willingness to speak plainly makes him a foil to the family's evasions. As an outsider permitted inside the circle, he represents the social world's judgment, and his presence forces Sheila and the others to decide how much of the truth they are prepared to have spoken aloud.

## Relationships

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

_professional_

Arthur and Mr. Danton are professional associates, possibly in business or legal matters.

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

_professional_

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

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

_social_

Mr. Danton and Sheila are social acquaintances, interacting in community or social settings.

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

_social_

Mr. Danton and Sheila are social acquaintances, interacting in community or social settings.

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

_professional_

Arthur and Mr. Danton are professional associates, possibly in business or legal matters.

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

_professional_

Arthur and Mr. Danton are professional associates, possibly in business or legal matters.

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

_professional_

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

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

_professional_

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

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

_social_

Mr. Danton and Sheila are social acquaintances, interacting in community or social settings.

## In the story

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

Skeptical of Lawford's identity, confronts him, and is subjected to Lawford's bitter sarcasm.

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

Mentioned as having visited the previous night; Sheila confirms he was there and did not believe Lawford's story.

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

Mentioned by Sheila as doubting Lawford's story and making suggestions based on it.

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

Danton is mentioned as a prejudiced man who saw the change in Lawford.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_return_se/chapters/xxii)

Argues for a practical, harsh solution—committing Lawford to an asylum; dismisses the supernatural as trickery and calls for secrecy.

## Links

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