# Cicely Stuyvesant — The Sword of Damocles character guide

> Cicely Stuyvesant in The Sword of Damocles by Anna Katharine Green.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Cicely

**First appearance:** 0014-xi-miss-stuyvesant

## Snapshot

Paula's bosom friend, whose undivided heart and steady friendship form the unbroken mirror against which Paula measures her own divided loyalties.

## Who they are

Cicely Stuyvesant exists in the novel as the friend Paula invokes when she speaks of friendship as she believes in heaven, a woman whose regard reflects but one image while Paula's own heart owns allegiance to more than her bosom friend. Her letters carry weight enough to send Paula fleeing to her aunt with the cry that she cannot stay another day. Though largely offstage, Cicely's constancy and the news she sends about Mr. Sylvester make her a quiet pivot on which Paula's choices turn.

## Relationships

### [Paula](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/characters/paula)

_rivalry_

Cicely is jealous of Paula and competes with her for social standing and attention.

### [Mr. Sylvester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/characters/mr_sylvester)

_social_

Cicely is a social acquaintance of Mr. Sylvester, moving in the same elite circles but with no deep bond.

### [Paula](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/characters/paula)

_rivalry_

Cicely is jealous of Paula and competes with her for social standing and attention.

### [Mr. Sylvester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/characters/mr_sylvester)

_social_

Cicely is a social acquaintance of Mr. Sylvester, moving in the same elite circles but with no deep bond.

### [Paula](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/characters/paula)

_rivalry_

Cicely is jealous of Paula and competes with her for social standing and attention.

### [Mr. Sylvester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/characters/mr_sylvester)

_social_

Cicely is a social acquaintance of Mr. Sylvester, moving in the same elite circles but with no deep bond.

## In the story

### [XI: Miss Stuyvesant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xi-miss-stuyvesant)

The young Miss Stuyvesant who captivates Mr. Sylvester with her thoughtful observations about art and life.

### [Miss Belinda Has a Question to Decide](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xiv-miss-belinda-has-a-question-to-decide)

Paula's dear friend in the city, described as a 'white lily' and a source of companionship and admiration.

### [XV: An Adventure—Or Something More](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xv-an-adventure-or-something-more)

Shares in the joy of the ride, playfully teases Paula about Mr. Ensign, and is horrified by the encounter with the woman in the park.

### [XVII: Grave and Gay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xvii-grave-and-gay)

Overhears the men's conversation and warns Mr. Sylvester about the plot.

### [XXIII: The Poem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xxiii-the-poem)

Mentioned as a source of disturbance for Paula through letters.

### [XXIX: Mist in the Valley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xxix-mist-in-the-valley)

Cicely's letter informs Paula of Mr. Sylvester's condition, prompting Paula's decision to return.

### [XXX: Miss Belinda Presents Mr. Sylvester with a Christmas Gift](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xxx-miss-belinda-presents-mr-sylvester-with-a-christmas-gift)

Revealed as the woman for whom Bertram gave up his art; her father invites him to dinner.

### [Full Tide](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xxxii-full-tide)

Uncommunicative but her face glows with the joy of being loved by Bertram.

### [Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xxxvi-morning)

Anxious and troubled, waiting for her father with a letter from Mr. Sylvester.

### [In Mr. Stuyvesant’s Parlors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xliv-in-mr-stuyvesant-s-parlors)

Defends Bertram's honor against her father's accusations, showing loyalty and trust.

### [The Man Cummins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xlvi-the-man-cummins)

Attends Paula's wedding and shares a moment with her young lover.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/characters/cicely_stuyvesant
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/characters