# Ona Delafield — The Sword of Damocles character guide

> Ona Delafield in The Sword of Damocles by Anna Katharine Green.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Ona, Cousin Ona

**First appearance:** 0004-i-a-wanderer

## Snapshot

A cousin woven into Paula's family circle, whose presence keeps the domestic drama close and the loyalties complicated.

## Who they are

Ona Delafield belongs to the intimate web of relatives and neighbors around Paula—the people whose questions Paula must answer with composure, whose gossip she must endure, and whose ordinary lives throw her own extraordinary season into relief. She is part of the texture of Grotewell: the village that watches, waits, and remembers. Her role is to keep the story grounded in the small claims of family even as the larger mystery of the Japha mansion and the stolen bonds pulls everyone toward darker questions.

## Relationships

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

_friendship_

Ona is Paula's close friend and confidante, offering support and companionship amidst the intrigue.

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

_psychological_

Mr. Sylvester manipulates Ona Delafield, using her feelings and position to further his own agenda.

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

_friendship_

Ona is Paula's close friend and confidante, offering support and companionship amidst the intrigue.

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

_psychological_

Mr. Sylvester manipulates Ona Delafield, using her feelings and position to further his own agenda.

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

_psychological_

Mr. Sylvester manipulates Ona Delafield, using her feelings and position to further his own agenda.

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

_friendship_

Ona is Paula's close friend and confidante, offering support and companionship amidst the intrigue.

## In the story

### [XII: Miss Belinda Makes Conditions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xii-miss-belinda-makes-conditions)

Mentioned as Mr. Sylvester's wife, who is described as frivolous and over-devoted to the world, raising concerns for Miss Belinda.

### [XIII: The End of My Lady's Picture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xiii-the-end-of-my-lady-s-picture)

Cousin of Paula, present at the introduction; shows a rare moment of warmth by kissing Paula.

### [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)

Mentioned in Paula's letters as Cousin Ona, who is concerned with appearances and fashion. She is startled by Mr. Sylvester's occasional distress but seems to misunderstand its depth.

### [XVI: The Sword of Damocles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xvi-the-sword-of-damocles)

Present during Paula's account, she appears indifferent and languid, more concerned with her own comfort.

### [XVIII: In the Night Watches](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xviii-in-the-night-watches)

Expresses satisfaction with her social position and is oblivious to her husband's distress.

### [XXXIX: From A. To Z.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xxxix-from-a-to-z)

Sylvester's wife, whose hand was obtained through deceit.

## Links

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