# Arthur Huntingdon — The Tenant of Wildfell Hall character guide > Arthur Huntingdon in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Huntingdon, young Mr. Huntingdon, Huntingdon, the lively Huntingdon **First appearance:** 0003-ii ## Who they are Helen's charming, dissolute husband, whose casual cruelties and self-indulgence slowly strip away every illusion she once held about him. ## In the story ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xvi) Introduced at the ball as a lively and entertaining gentleman; he rescues Helen from Mr. Boarham's company and dances with her, making a strong impression. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xvii) Rescues Helen from Mr. Wilmot and professes his adoration for her. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xviii) Arrives at the estate, flirts with Helen, teases her, and later pays attention to Annabella Wilmot, causing Helen jealousy. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xix) Huntingdon confesses his love to Helen and proposes, but is interrupted by Aunt Maxwell. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xx) Proposes to Helen, behaves irreverently in church, promises to reform and win over her aunt. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxi) Helen's fiancé; receives letters from friends lamenting his impending marriage, jokes about their complaints, and joins the shooting party. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxii) Recounts with amusement the story of Lord Lowborough's gambling addiction and alcoholism, revealing his own manipulative and unrepentant nature. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxiii) Shows selfishness by hurrying their bridal tour and resenting Helen's religious devotion; argues against her moral exhortations using hedonistic reasoning. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxiv) Displays ennui, provokes Helen with tales of infidelity, and reacts to her coldness with sulking, drinking, and cruelty toward his dog. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxv) Remains in London on vague business, sends short and infrequent letters, and repeatedly postpones his return. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxvi) Participates in coquettish games with Lady Lowborough, provoking Helen's jealousy. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxvii) Defends his behavior with double standards; promises reform but shows sulkiness and lack of true contrition. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxviii) Shown as a pleasure-seeking husband who leaves for London against Helen's wishes and fails to keep his promises. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxix) Remains in London, dissipating and lying about his return; his neglect and infidelity cause Helen great pain. ### [Chapter XXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxx) Drinks excessively, argues with Helen, shows temporary improvement after Scotland trip. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxxi) Returns from London in worse temper, dismisses Helen's grief over her father's death, and indulges in drinking with Grimsby and Hattersley. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxxiii) Caught in infidelity, refuses Helen's request for separation, and later shows nervousness when Helen surprises him in the shrubbery. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxxiv) Referenced as Helen's husband and the object of her hatred due to his betrayal. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxxv) Encourages Annabella's attentions and laughs at Helen's distress, showing no remorse. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxxvi) Continues his dissolute behavior, drinking excessively and corresponding with Lady Lowborough, while undermining Helen's influence over their son. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxxviii) Openly mocks Lowborough, boasts of the affair, and expresses relief at Annabella's departure. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xxxix) Openly encourages his son's vices and callously offers his wife to any of his friends. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xl) Discovers Helen's diary, burns her art supplies, confiscates her money and jewels, and imposes financial control. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xliii) Returns to Grassdale, hires Miss Myers as governess, and continues his dissipated behavior, prompting Helen's flight. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xliv) Sends a letter demanding the return of his son, offering an allowance in exchange. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xlvii) Lies ill, alternating between bitter resentment and helplessness, reluctantly agreeing to Helen's terms regarding their son. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xlviii) Recovering from illness but still difficult; tries to win Helen's affection with words rather than deeds, and resists medical restrictions. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xlix) Suffers a fatal relapse from drinking; experiences physical pain, terror of death, and clings to Helen; dies after mortification sets in. ### [Chapter L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/l) Has died after a period of suffering; his death releases Helen from her marital bonds. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters/arthur_huntingdon - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters