# Dr. Crofts — The Small House at Allington character guide

> Dr. Crofts in The Small House at Allington by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Crofts, Dr. Crofts

**First appearance:** 0019-xx-dr-crofts

## Snapshot

The plain-spoken Guestwick doctor whose gruff bedside manner and steady kindness make him the quiet standard by which the novel's other suitors are measured.

## Who they are

Dr. Crofts attends the Dales through Lily's long illness, prescribing rest and getting teased for it by a convalescent who calls him a tyrant. Underneath the professional brusqueness lies an honorable man whose feelings for Bell Dale are hinted at rather than declared, and whose worth is recognized by everyone except, perhaps, himself. He matters because he offers the possibility of a love grounded in character rather than rank or glamour.

## Relationships

### [Isabella Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/isabella_dale)

_romantic_

Dr. Crofts is a kind and steady suitor who eventually marries Bell Dale after a gentle courtship.

### [Isabella Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/isabella_dale)

_romantic_

Dr. Crofts is a kind and steady suitor who eventually marries Bell Dale after a gentle courtship.

### [Isabella Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/isabella_dale)

_romantic_

Dr. Crofts is a kind and steady suitor who eventually marries Bell Dale after a gentle courtship.

## In the story

### [Dr. Crofts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xx-dr-crofts)

Struggles with his feelings for Bell Dale, constrained by his modest income. Begins attending Lord De Guest after Dr. Gruffen's dismissal.

### [Doctor Crofts Is Called In](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxxviii-doctor-crofts-is-called-in)

Called in to attend to the maid Jane, suspected of having scarlatina.

### [Dr. Crofts Is Turned Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxxix-dr-crofts-is-turned-out)

Proposes to Bell but is rejected; later discusses the Dales' departure with Bell.

### [XLII: Lily's Bedside](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xlii-lily-s-bedside)

Continues daily visits to Lily despite no longer being required; he is the subject of Lily's teasing and is romantically interested in Bell.

### [Valentine's Day at Allington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xliv-valentine-s-day-at-allington)

Dr. Crofts is in treaty for a furnished house at Guestwick for the Dales, and is mentioned as being nearer to them after the move.

### [Mrs. Dale Is Thankful for a Good Thing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/l-mrs-dale-is-thankful-for-a-good-thing)

Proposes to Bell and discusses immediate marriage and living arrangements.

### [LIII: Loquitur Hopkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/liii-loquitur-hopkins)

Mentioned as Bell's fiancé; the squire offers him a hundred a year upon marriage.

### [The Second Visit to the Guestwick Bridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/liv-the-second-visit-to-the-guestwick-bridge)

Mentioned as Bell's fiancé; his engagement is a topic of conversation.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/lx-conclusion)

Marries Bell Dale, promising to be good to her and to Mrs. Dale.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/dr_crofts
- 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