The Turmoil · Character

Mary Vertrees

A dark-eyed, quick-witted young woman from a genteel but fading family who meets Bibbs Sheridan and finds herself drawn into the Sheridans' raw new-money world.

major

Also known as Vertrees, Miss Vertrees, Mary Vertrees’s

First appearance: III

As a major figure in The Turmoil, Mary Vertrees is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Mentioned as a member of the old Vertrees family, key to the Sheridans' social aspirations.

In the storyIIIOpen this moment free

See Mary Vertrees in III Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Mary Vertrees is the daughter of a household that still keeps its Landseers and its manners while the money quietly runs out, and she is practical enough to know what that means. When she lets Bibbs bring her home and laughs with her mother about how fast she got along with him, she is both candid and calculating, aware that the Sheridans next door represent something her family needs. Her clear-eyed presence gives Bibbs a mirror in which his own difference might be worth something.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Mary Vertrees sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Mary Vertrees in III

Character Web

13 connections

A slice of how Mary Vertrees sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Social
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Sheridan Family Circle
Protagonist

+8 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This passage marks the narrative climax because Bibbs reaches an emotional and psychological peak by articulat…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Sibyl Sheridan
friendship · positive
Mary and Sibyl are close friends, with Sibyl acting as a confidante and supporter of… How this plays out →
James Sheridan
social · negative
Edith Sheridan
friendship · positive
Roscoe Sheridan
rivalry · negative
James Sheridan
social · negative
Sibyl Sheridan
friendship · positive
Mary and Sibyl are close friends, with Sibyl acting as a confidante and supporter of… How this plays out →
Edith Sheridan
friendship · positive
Roscoe Sheridan
rivalry · negative
Edith Sheridan
friendship · positive
Roscoe Sheridan
rivalry · negative
Sibyl Sheridan
friendship · positive
Mary and Sibyl are close friends, with Sibyl acting as a confidante and supporter of… How this plays out →
James Sheridan
social · negative

Sibyl Sheridan
Mary and Sibyl are close friends, with Sibyl acting as a confidante and supporter of Mary's relationship with Bibbs.
James Sheridan
James Sheridan disapproves of Mary Vertrees due to her past and her influence on his son Bibbs.
Edith Sheridan
Edith is a supportive friend to Mary, welcoming her into the family despite initial tensions.
Roscoe Sheridan
Mary and Roscoe are antagonistic, as Roscoe resents her relationship with Bibbs and her influence on the family.
James Sheridan
James Sheridan disapproves of Mary Vertrees due to her past and her influence on his son Bibbs.
Sibyl Sheridan
Mary and Sibyl are close friends, with Sibyl acting as a confidante and supporter of Mary's relationship with Bibbs.
Edith Sheridan
Edith is a supportive friend to Mary, welcoming her into the family despite initial tensions.
Roscoe Sheridan
Mary and Roscoe are antagonistic, as Roscoe resents her relationship with Bibbs and her influence on the family.
Edith Sheridan
Edith is a supportive friend to Mary, welcoming her into the family despite initial tensions.
Roscoe Sheridan
Mary and Roscoe are antagonistic, as Roscoe resents her relationship with Bibbs and her influence on the family.
Sibyl Sheridan
Mary and Sibyl are close friends, with Sibyl acting as a confidante and supporter of Mary's relationship with Bibbs.
James Sheridan
James Sheridan disapproves of Mary Vertrees due to her past and her influence on his son Bibbs.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Mary Vertrees in III

In the story

Mary Vertrees appears across 21 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

III
Mentioned as a member of the old Vertrees family, key to the Sheridans' social aspirations. Has only barely acknowledged Edith.
IV
Seen by Bibbs in the summerhouse; she is caught looking into his window and later admits it to her mother.
V
Returns from the Sheridan house, laughing and recounting the visit; she is aware of the Sheridans' social maneuvering and her own family's financial straits.
VI
Flirts with Roscoe and Jim Sheridan, laughs at James Sheridan's bragging, and draws attention with her bold manner.
VII
Returns home late from the Sheridans' housewarming and recounts the evening to her mother, revealing her calculated plan to secure the Sheridan fortune.
VIII
Mary rides with Jim Sheridan and bows to Bibbs during a chance encounter. She expresses sympathy for Bibbs's loneliness and illness, questioning the necessity of constant ambition.
Chapter X
Listens to Sibyl's plea and realizes Sibyl's true motives and affair with Lamhorn.
XII
Mary attends the funeral and is accidentally left behind. She asks Bibbs for a ride home, and they share their first conversation, during which she gains insight into his character.
XIII
Seen standing on her front steps in the twilight, bowing gravely as Bibbs returns home.
XV
Mary is warm, understanding, and eager to engage with Bibbs. She invites him to hear organ music and shows a perceptive, kind side, revising her earlier impression of him.
XVI
Shares her interpretation of Handel's music as courage, invites Bibbs to hear her play, and mentions her piano is being sent away.
XVII
Sold her piano without consulting her father, plans to sell her furs, and is seen driving with Bibbs; her actions are interpreted by Sibyl as desperate social climbing.
XIX
Offers Bibbs unwavering emotional support, promising to be with him each evening after work.
XXII
Visits Bibbs at work, walks home with him, and shares her appreciation for a painter who captures the beauty of the city's smoke.
XXV
Hosts Bibbs for an evening of reading and conversation; shows deep affection and care, standing in the stormy doorway to wave goodbye.
XXVII
Accompanies Bibbs on a walk, shares a Burne-Jones quote, and evades Bibbs's question about her furs.
Chapter XXVIII
Discussed as the target of Sibyl's accusations; alleged to have pursued Jim and then Bibbs for financial security.
XXIX
Perceives Bibbs's distress, learns of Sibyl's gossip, and is devastated that he believes she would marry for money; she rejects his proposal.
Chapter XXX
Refuses Bibbs's marriage proposal; earlier rejected Jim via letter.
XXXII
Struggles with guilt and pride, confessing to Sheridan that she believes Bibbs's proposal was motivated by pity, not love, and refuses to see him despite her own feelings.
Chapter XXXIII
Observes Bibbs's near-accident from the street, calls him to check on his safety, and ultimately appears at his door.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mary Vertrees unlock in the free preview.

See Mary Vertrees in III