# Adolphus Crosbie — The Small House at Allington character guide > Adolphus Crosbie in The Small House at Allington by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Crosbie, Apollo Crosbie, Crosbie **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-squire-of-allington ## Snapshot A polished London civil servant and self-styled swell, charming enough to win Lily Dale and calculating enough to keep his options open. ## Who they are Crosbie holds a comfortable post in the General Committee Office and moves through country society with the ease of a man who knows his own polish. He has resolved not to marry without money and not to marry for money — a neat formula that leaves him dangerously free to be flattered by rank. His courtship of Lily sets the novel's central machinery in motion, and his taste for grander company is the fault line beneath it. ## Relationships ### [Lilian Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/lilian_dale) _romantic_ Crosbie courts and then jilts Lily Dale, breaking her heart after a passionate but ultimately selfish engagement. ### [John Eames](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/john_eames) _rivalry_ Crosbie and Eames are bitter rivals for Lily Dale's affection, with Eames despising Crosbie's betrayal. ### [Christopher Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/christopher_dale) _social_ Crosbie interacts with Squire Dale as a guest at Allington, but their relationship sours after the broken engagement. ### [Mrs. Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/mrs_dale) _social_ Crosbie initially charms Mrs. Dale as Lily's suitor, but later earns her deep resentment. ### [Countess De Courcy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/countess_de_courcy) _family_ The Countess is Crosbie's mother-in-law, a snobbish aristocrat who looks down on him despite the marriage. ### [Isabella Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/isabella_dale) _social_ Crosbie is a polite acquaintance of Bell Dale during his time at Allington, but they have little direct interaction. ### [Lilian Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/lilian_dale) _romantic_ Crosbie courts and then jilts Lily Dale, breaking her heart after a passionate but ultimately selfish engagement. ### [Lilian Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/lilian_dale) _romantic_ Crosbie courts and then jilts Lily Dale, breaking her heart after a passionate but ultimately selfish engagement. ### [John Eames](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/john_eames) _rivalry_ Crosbie and Eames are bitter rivals for Lily Dale's affection, with Eames despising Crosbie's betrayal. ### [Countess De Courcy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/countess_de_courcy) _family_ The Countess is Crosbie's mother-in-law, a snobbish aristocrat who looks down on him despite the marriage. ### [Mrs. Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/mrs_dale) _social_ Crosbie initially charms Mrs. Dale as Lily's suitor, but later earns her deep resentment. ### [Isabella Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/isabella_dale) _social_ Crosbie is a polite acquaintance of Bell Dale during his time at Allington, but they have little direct interaction. ## In the story ### [The Two Pearls of Allington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/ii-the-two-pearls-of-allington) Crosbie is a London swell working in the General Committee Office, visiting Allington. He is graceful but inept at croquet, and his mention of Lady Hartletop reveals his fashionable connections. ### [The Widow Dale of Allington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/iii-the-widow-dale-of-allington) A guest at the Great House, visiting for two days. He is playful and flirtatious with Lily, suggesting moonlit croquet, and is invited by the squire to return for shooting in September. ### [About L. D.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/v-about-l-d) Has left London for Allington on August 31st, intending to stay four weeks; he is engaged to Lily and walks with her in the garden. ### [Beautiful Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/vi-beautiful-days) Crosbie is the beloved fiancé, admired by Lily and accepted by her family, though he privately considers financial concerns. ### [The Beginning of Troubles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/vii-the-beginning-of-troubles) Struggles with doubts about his engagement, weighing the loss of his bachelor freedoms against his affection for Lily. Resolves to ask Squire Dale about Lily's fortune. ### [It Cannot Be](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/viii-it-cannot-be) Crosbie receives Lily's note, participates in the party planning, and interrupts Bernard and Bell's conversation. ### [Mrs. Dale's Little Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/ix-mrs-dale-s-little-party) Visits the Small House alone; accepts Lily's playful curtsy but internally wishes she were less open about their engagement. ### [Lilian Dale Becomes a Butterfly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xii-lilian-dale-becomes-a-butterfly) Crosbie is torn between his love for Lily and his growing doubts about the engagement, rationalizing a delay and accepting an invitation to Courcy Castle. ### [A Visit to Guestwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xiii-a-visit-to-guestwick) Accompanies Lily to Guestwick, feels superior to the Eames family, and expresses displeasure at Lily's continued friendship with John Eames, leading to a tense exchange. ### [The Last Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xv-the-last-day) Crosbie lectures Lily about financial struggles and his past entanglements, revealing his growing regret and ungenerous nature. He still intends to marry her but feels burdened by the engagement. ### [Mr. Crosbie Meets an Old Clergyman on His Way to Courcy Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xvi-mr-crosbie-meets-an-old-clergyman-on-his-way-to-courcy-castle) Travels from Allington to Guestwick with Bernard Dale, then to Barchester where he meets Mr. Harding. Reflects on his engagement to Lily and financial concerns. ### [Courcy Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xvii-courcy-castle) Crosbie is at Courcy Castle, engaging in conversation with Lady Alexandrina and avoiding discussion of his engagement to Lily Dale. ### [Lily Dale's First Love-Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xviii-lily-dale-s-first-love-letter) Struggles to write a sincere letter to Lily, torn between his engagement and the temptations of Courcy Castle. ### [John Eames Encounters Two Adventures, and Displays Great Courage in Both](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxi-john-eames-encounters-two-adventures-and-displays-great-courage-in-both) Receives Lily's letter and is the subject of her affectionate thoughts. ### [Mr. Plantagenet Palliser](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxiii-mr-plantagenet-palliser) Struggles with his conscience about his engagement to Lily Dale, rationalizing his desire to break it off due to ambition and the influence of Courcy Castle. ### [XXIV: A Mother-in-Law and a Father-in-Law](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxiv-a-mother-in-law-and-a-father-in-law) Crosbie meets with the Countess and Earl De Courcy to secure their approval for his marriage to Lady Alexandrina, while feeling trapped and regretful about his engagement to Lily Dale. ### [Adolphus Crosbie Spends an Evening at His Club](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxv-adolphus-crosbie-spends-an-evening-at-his-club) Confesses his engagement troubles to Pratt, reveals his intention to marry Lady Alexandrina instead of Lily, and avoids meeting Mr. Dale directly. ### [XXVII: “On My Honour, I Do Not Understand It.”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxvii-on-my-honour-i-do-not-understand-it) Sends a curt note to Lily; his betrayal is confirmed by the squire's investigation in London. ### [The Board](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxviii-the-board) Struggles with guilt and regret over jilting Lily Dale, even as he receives his promotion to secretary. ### [John Eames Returns to Burton Crescent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxix-john-eames-returns-to-burton-crescent) Mentioned as Lily Dale's fiancé and the new secretary at the General Committee Office. ### [The Wounded Fawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxxi-the-wounded-fawn) Crosbie faces social consequences: he is watched by the De Courcys, quarrels with the Honourable John, and feels burdened by Mortimer Gazebee's hospitality; he knows he is seen as a scoundrel. ### [The Combat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-combat) Receives a black eye from Eames and is humiliated; declines to press charges and retreats. ### [Vae Victis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxxv-vae-victis) Suffers a black eye from John Eames, attempts to hide it, and later mocks the De Courcy family at dinner, showing his rebellious attitude. ### [XXXVI: “See, the Conquering Hero Comes.”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxxvi-see-the-conquering-hero-comes) Thrashed by John Eames at the railway station; receives a black eye and is described as an outlaw by Lord De Guest. ### [Preparations for the Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xl-preparations-for-the-wedding) Resigned to the wedding, feels the coldness of his fiancée and the De Courcy household, contrasts it with the Dale home. ### [Fie, Fie!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xliii-fie-fie) Mentioned as the fiancé of Lord Porlock's sister; Palliser met him at Courcy Castle. ### [Valentine's Day at Allington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xliv-valentine-s-day-at-allington) Crosbie is mentioned as marrying Alexandrina on Valentine's Day, with the squire predicting his unhappiness. ### [Valentine’s Day in London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xlv-valentine-s-day-in-london) The groom, who feels the chill of his new marriage and contrasts Alexandrina's coldness with Lily's warmth. ### [John Eames at His Office](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xlvi-john-eames-at-his-office) Returns from his honeymoon with Lady Alexandrina; his marriage is noted as having occurred in February. ### [XLVIII: Nemesis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xlviii-nemesis) Settled into a dull married life, reflecting on his mistake and the coldness of his home. ### [The First Visit to the Guestwick Bridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/lii-the-first-visit-to-the-guestwick-bridge) Mentioned in John's conversation with his mother as a scoundrel; John expresses hatred and recalls thrashing him. ### [LV: Not Very Fie Fie After All](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/lv-not-very-fie-fie-after-all) Attends Lady De Courcy's party, standing sullenly in a corner, feeling that all is vanity. ### [Showing How Mr. Crosbie Became Again a Happy Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/lvi-showing-how-mr-crosbie-became-again-a-happy-man) Shows moodiness and silence at the party; returns home speechless with his wife; is asked by Alexandrina if she may go to Baden-Baden with her mother. ### [LVII: Lilian Dale Vanquishes Her Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/lvii-lilian-dale-vanquishes-her-mother) Crosbie is the man Lily still considers herself married to in her heart, despite his betrayal. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/lx-conclusion) Recovers his power at his office but loses his social standing; his marriage to Lady Alexandrina ends in separation. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/adolphus_crosbie - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters