# Mrs. Dale — The Small House at Allington character guide > Mrs. Dale in The Small House at Allington by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mrs. Dale, Old Mrs. Dale, the widow Dale **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-squire-of-allington ## Snapshot The widowed mistress of the Small House, proud without vanity, who guards her daughters' standing while accepting nothing for herself. ## Who they are Mrs. Dale lives on her own modest fortune beside her brother-in-law's estate, dependent on the squire's countenance for her girls but never on his charity for herself. Her marriage was disliked by the squire and the two have never become friends, yet she keeps the peace for her daughters' sake. Her delicate balancing of pride and maternal duty shapes the household in which Lily's romance unfolds. ## Relationships ### [Lilian Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/lilian_dale) _family_ Lily is the devoted daughter of Mrs. Dale, sharing a close, loving, and protective bond. ### [Christopher Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/christopher_dale) _family_ Christopher Dale is Mrs. Dale's brother-in-law and the squire, maintaining a formal but caring family connection. ### [John Eames](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/john_eames) _friendship_ John Eames is a trusted family friend of Mrs. Dale, who favors him as a potential husband for Lily. ### [Isabella Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/isabella_dale) _family_ Bell is Mrs. Dale's elder daughter, sharing a warm and supportive mother-daughter relationship. ### [Adolphus Crosbie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/adolphus_crosbie) _social_ Crosbie initially charms Mrs. Dale as Lily's suitor, but later earns her deep resentment. ### [Lilian Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/lilian_dale) _family_ Lily is the devoted daughter of Mrs. Dale, sharing a close, loving, and protective bond. ### [Christopher Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/christopher_dale) _family_ Christopher Dale is Mrs. Dale's brother-in-law and the squire, maintaining a formal but caring family connection. ### [John Eames](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/john_eames) _friendship_ John Eames is a trusted family friend of Mrs. Dale, who favors him as a potential husband for Lily. ### [Isabella Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/isabella_dale) _family_ Bell is Mrs. Dale's elder daughter, sharing a warm and supportive mother-daughter relationship. ### [Christopher Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/christopher_dale) _family_ Christopher Dale is Mrs. Dale's brother-in-law and the squire, maintaining a formal but caring family connection. ### [Adolphus Crosbie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/adolphus_crosbie) _social_ Crosbie initially charms Mrs. Dale as Lily's suitor, but later earns her deep resentment. ### [John Eames](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/john_eames) _friendship_ John Eames is a trusted family friend of Mrs. Dale, who favors him as a potential husband for Lily. ## 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) The widow of the youngest Dale brother, she lives modestly at the Small House with her daughters, grateful for the social advantages but aware of her strained relationship with the squire. ### [The Widow Dale of Allington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/iii-the-widow-dale-of-allington) The widow of Allington, proud and self-sacrificing, who buries herself to elevate her daughters. She reflects on her strained but respectful relationship with the squire and her hopes for Bell's future. ### [About L. D.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/v-about-l-d) Informs John Eames of Lily's engagement to Crosbie, trying to spare his feelings. ### [Beautiful Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/vi-beautiful-days) Mrs. Dale expresses joy at Lily's engagement, though she initially had reservations about Crosbie's worthiness. ### [It Cannot Be](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/viii-it-cannot-be) Mrs. Dale organizes the party for John Eames and discusses the plan with Bell. ### [Mrs. Dale's Little Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/ix-mrs-dale-s-little-party) Hosts the party; welcomes guests and mediates between Mrs. Hearn and the squire. ### [Lilian Dale Becomes a Butterfly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xii-lilian-dale-becomes-a-butterfly) Mrs. Dale observes the squire's behavior and makes a point not to eat at his table after he refuses lunch at hers. ### [The Last Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xv-the-last-day) Mrs. Dale notices Lily's unusual brightness at dinner but later senses something is wrong when Lily claims a headache and goes to bed early. ### [Dr. Crofts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xx-dr-crofts) Previously ill, she had encouraged Dr. Crofts' visits, leading to his attachment to Bell. ### [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 Bell on household items; asks about Crosbie's letter. ### [XXX: Is It from Him?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxx-is-it-from-him) Mrs. Dale receives Crosbie's letter and delivers it to Lily, struggling to offer comfort. ### [The Wounded Fawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxxi-the-wounded-fawn) Mrs. Dale writes a letter to Crosbie acknowledging his letter and conveying Lily's forgiveness, while privately hoping time will cure Lily and preferring John Eames as a suitor. ### [An Old Man's Complaint](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxxvii-an-old-man-s-complaint) Defends her maternal authority against the squire's interference, insisting that her daughters' affections cannot be commanded, though she is moved by his pain. ### [Doctor Crofts Is Called In](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxxviii-doctor-crofts-is-called-in) Decides to leave the Small House and informs the squire, feeling guilt and sadness over the move. ### [Dr. Crofts Is Turned Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxxix-dr-crofts-is-turned-out) Decides to leave the Small House; communicates her intention to Mrs. Hearn. ### [XLII: Lily's Bedside](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xlii-lily-s-bedside) Lily's mother; she manages Lily's recovery and gently scolds her for her impertinent remarks to Dr. Crofts. ### [Valentine's Day at Allington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xliv-valentine-s-day-at-allington) Mrs. Dale is conflicted, trying to support Lily while struggling to restrain her own anger toward Crosbie. ### [Preparations for Going](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xlix-preparations-for-going) Mrs. Dale reads Bernard's letter and supports Bell's decision, though she privately regrets the loss of a good match; she also oversees the family's moving preparations. ### [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) Visits the squire with a note and discusses Lily's future; later rejoices in Bell's engagement. ### [LIII: Loquitur Hopkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/liii-loquitur-hopkins) Receives the squire's grudging acceptance of Bell's marriage and his request for her to remain; feels it is too late to change plans. ### [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) Present during the proposal; conflicted but respects Lily's wishes. ### [LVII: Lilian Dale Vanquishes Her Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/lvii-lilian-dale-vanquishes-her-mother) Mrs. Dale tries to counsel Lily to move on from Crosbie and consider John Eames, but is ultimately overcome by Lily's emotional appeal and agrees to be silent. ### [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) Returns from a two-hour interview with the squire, having agreed to stay at the Small House and conveying the squire's gifts to her daughters. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/lx-conclusion) Remains at the Small House, with improved relations with the squire, and is promised a place in her daughter's home. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/mrs_dale - 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