# Royal Weldon — The Truth About Tristrem Varick character guide > Royal Weldon in The Truth About Tristrem Varick by Edgar Saltus. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Weldon **First appearance:** 0003-i ## Snapshot Tristrem's oldest and nearest friend, a handsome, patronizing charmer whose single effortless lie lands like a dash of blood on a white wall. ## Who they are Weldon has been Tristrem's intimate since their school days at St. Paul's, the kind of friend whose watch bears the motto Well done, Weldon. In one silent minute he crosses a room, looks Tristrem full in the eyes with mute defiance, and walks out, leaving a lie behind him that Tristrem cannot reconcile with a lifetime of stanch affection. His betrayal is the hinge on which the early story turns, forcing Tristrem to bid farewell to a man he realizes he never actually knew. ## Relationships ### [Tristrem Varick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/characters/tristrem_varick) _rivalry_ Royal Weldon is a jealous and competitive antagonist to Tristrem Varick, often clashing with him. ### [The Girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/characters/the_girl) _rivalry_ Royal Weldon is hostile toward The Girl, seeing her as an obstacle to his own desires. ### [Miss Raritan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/characters/miss_raritan) _psychological_ Miss Raritan manipulates Royal Weldon as a tool in her schemes against Tristrem Varick. ### [Mrs. Weldon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/characters/mrs_weldon) _family_ Mrs. Weldon is Royal Weldon's mother, often indulging or enabling his behavior. ### [Viola Raritan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/characters/viola_raritan) _romantic_ Royal Weldon pursues Viola Raritan romantically, though his feelings are possessive and unrequited. ### [Tristrem Varick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/characters/tristrem_varick) _rivalry_ Royal Weldon is a jealous and competitive antagonist to Tristrem Varick, often clashing with him. ### [Tristrem Varick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/characters/tristrem_varick) _rivalry_ Royal Weldon is a jealous and competitive antagonist to Tristrem Varick, often clashing with him. ### [Miss Raritan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/characters/miss_raritan) _psychological_ Miss Raritan manipulates Royal Weldon as a tool in her schemes against Tristrem Varick. ### [Miss Raritan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/characters/miss_raritan) _psychological_ Miss Raritan manipulates Royal Weldon as a tool in her schemes against Tristrem Varick. ### [The Girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/characters/the_girl) _rivalry_ Royal Weldon is hostile toward The Girl, seeing her as an obstacle to his own desires. ## In the story ### [The Truth About Tristrem Varick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/chapters/the-truth-about-tristrem-varick) A figure involved in the family secret, possibly connected to the letters that reveal the truth. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/chapters/i) Tristrem's turbulent school friend, prone to trouble, who is saved from expulsion by Tristrem's quick thinking. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/chapters/ii) Tristrem's friend; has become a successful financier and host of the dinner party. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as Tristrem's friend who tells Miss Raritan that Tristrem is fond of music. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/chapters/iv) Briefly encounters Tristrem at the club, mentioning that Miss Raritan is dining elsewhere and advising Tristrem to visit his wife instead. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/chapters/v) Caught in a lie about Miss Raritan's whereabouts; confronts Tristrem with a mute, defiant look before leaving; his betrayal deeply wounds Tristrem. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/chapters/viii) Encountered on the train with a fresh wound and bruise; he curses Tristrem before turning away. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/chapters/xiv) Implied through the handkerchief with the Weldon crest; connected to Viola's broken engagement. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/chapters/xv) Weldon is confronted by Tristrem at his home. He is dismissive and mocking, lighting a cigarette and lounging on a sofa before being stabbed to death. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/chapters/xvi) Mentioned as the victim of Tristrem's killing; formerly a close friend of Tristrem. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/chapters/xvii) Found dead; initial verdict of heart disease is overturned by autopsy revealing violence; possible suicide or murder. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/characters/royal_weldon - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/characters