# Isabella Dale — The Small House at Allington character guide

> Isabella Dale in The Small House at Allington by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Bell, Isabella, Bell Dale

**First appearance:** 0000-i-the-squire-of-allington

## Snapshot

The elder Dale sister, steadier and more skeptical than Lily, who measures suitors carefully and defends her family without fuss.

## Who they are

Bell is the sister who can be a little angry with Lily, who weighs Mr. Crosbie's merits soberly while Lily teases, and who carries the Dale constancy without the Dale romance. She is courted by her cousin Bernard, an arrangement of property and family as much as affection. Her clear-eyed presence gives the Small House its ballast and gives the reader a second, cooler angle on the men who come courting.

## Relationships

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

_family_

Bell and Lily are loving sisters who support each other through romantic and family trials.

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

_family_

Bell is Mrs. Dale's elder daughter, sharing a warm and supportive mother-daughter relationship.

### [Dr. Crofts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/dr_crofts)

_romantic_

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

### [Plantagenet Palliser](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/plantagenet_palliser)

_social_

Bell Dale meets Plantagenet Palliser briefly through social circles, but they have no deep connection.

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

_family_

Christopher Dale is Bell's uncle, treating her with the same gruff fondness he shows Lily.

### [Adolphus Crosbie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/adolphus_crosbie)

_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)

_family_

Bell and Lily are loving sisters who support each other through romantic and family trials.

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

_family_

Bell and Lily are loving sisters who support each other through romantic and family trials.

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

_family_

Bell is Mrs. Dale's elder daughter, sharing a warm and supportive mother-daughter relationship.

### [Dr. Crofts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/dr_crofts)

_romantic_

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

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

_family_

Christopher Dale is Bell's uncle, treating her with the same gruff fondness he shows Lily.

### [Adolphus Crosbie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/adolphus_crosbie)

_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)

Bell is the beauty of the family, more reserved than Lily, and seems less inclined to undervalue Crosbie, showing a subtle interest in him.

### [The Widow Dale of Allington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/iii-the-widow-dale-of-allington)

Bell is more reserved and sensitive. She is vexed by Lily's teasing about Dr. Crofts and asks her sister to stop mentioning him.

### [About L. D.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/v-about-l-d)

Present when Eames arrives; she remarks that Crosbie will be happy to know him.

### [Beautiful Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/vi-beautiful-days)

Bell warmly supports Lily's engagement, having previously suspected the match, and is herself the subject of Bernard's proposal plans.

### [The Beginning of Troubles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/vii-the-beginning-of-troubles)

Listens to Lily's concerns and reassures her that Crosbie seems pleased with her.

### [It Cannot Be](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/viii-it-cannot-be)

Bell discusses the party with her mother and later firmly refuses Bernard's marriage proposal.

### [Mrs. Dale's Little Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/ix-mrs-dale-s-little-party)

Remains silent about Bernard's proposal; keeps the matter secret from the others.

### [Lilian Dale Becomes a Butterfly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xii-lilian-dale-becomes-a-butterfly)

Bell is present at the lunch and later hears Mrs. Dale's remarks about the squire.

### [A Visit to Guestwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xiii-a-visit-to-guestwick)

Accompanies the party to Guestwick, helps manage the visit, and supports Lily in the social setting.

### [The Last Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xv-the-last-day)

Bell observes Lily's changed demeanor and is present at the dinner table, but Lily avoids talking to her later that night.

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

Bell resolves that she is not in love with Dr. Crofts after their walk, though she understands his feelings.

### [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)

Works with Lily and Mrs. Dale on sewing projects for Lily's marriage.

### [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)

Present at the Small House, aware of Lily's anxiety and the squire's mysterious absence.

### [XXX: Is It from Him?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxx-is-it-from-him)

Bell supports Lily, sitting with her and learning the news from Bernard.

### [The Wounded Fawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxxi-the-wounded-fawn)

Bell is present during Lily's illness and recovery, sharing her mother's anxiety over Lily's condition.

### [An Old Man's Complaint](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxxvii-an-old-man-s-complaint)

Bell is the subject of the squire's complaint; he wishes her to marry Bernard, but Mrs. Dale asserts that Bell will not be swayed by family pressure.

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

Bell supports the move and is opposed to her uncle's interference, especially regarding marriage.

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

Bell rejects Dr. Crofts' proposal despite loving him; discusses the family's move with him.

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

Bell is present at Lily's bedside; she is conflicted about Dr. Crofts' proposal and avoids being alone with him, though Lily teases her about her feelings.

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

Bell visits the squire regularly and struggles to hide her anger at Crosbie, though she tries to comfort Lily.

### [Preparations for Going](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xlix-preparations-for-going)

Bell receives a letter from Bernard Dale proposing marriage, but she resolves to refuse him, feeling his letter lacks heart.

### [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)

Accepts Dr. Crofts's proposal in a calm, practical manner.

### [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)

Arrives at Guestwick Manor with Mr. Dale; greets John and mentions Lily's illness and recovery.

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

Discusses her engagement with her mother, expresses hope that Lily will stay with the squire, and doubts Lily can marry John Eames.

### [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 recently engaged to Dr. Crofts; discussed by the family.

### [LVII: Lilian Dale Vanquishes Her Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/lvii-lilian-dale-vanquishes-her-mother)

Bell is away visiting Lady Julia De Guest; her return is awaited before finalizing plans to stay at the Small House.

### [The Fate of the Small House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/lviii-the-fate-of-the-small-house)

Mentioned as being away; later meets the squire at the Manor House and expresses gladness that the family is staying.

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

Marries Dr. Crofts and prepares to move to Wales, joking about the ordinariness of a doctor's wedding.

## Links

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- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters