# Maud Hartley — The Venetians character guide

> Maud Hartley in The Venetians by M. E. Braddon.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Maud, Poor little Maud, Maud Vansittart

**First appearance:** 0000-i-in-the-city-by-the-sea

## Who they are

A young woman, possibly a Hartley, whose fate becomes intertwined with the Vansittarts.

## Relationships

### [Eve Marchant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/characters/eve_marchant)

_rivalry_

Maud is a social rival to Eve, competing for status and the attention of the same men.

### [Eve Marchant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/characters/eve_marchant)

_rivalry_

Maud is a social rival to Eve, competing for status and the attention of the same men.

### [Eve Marchant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/characters/eve_marchant)

_rivalry_

Maud is a social rival to Eve, competing for status and the attention of the same men.

## In the story

### [Afterthoughts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/ii-afterthoughts)

Vansittart's sister, recently presented at court, discusses her social season and Sir Hubert's attentions.

### [III: “Fairies!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/iii-fairies)

Now married to Sir Hubert, she discusses her past flirtations and her husband's devotion, while showing a somewhat frivolous and self-aware nature.

### [VIII: A Face in the Crowd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/viii-a-face-in-the-crowd)

Writes to Jack, warning him that Eve Marchant is 'impossible' as a wife but charming as a human being, and that she has invited her to Redwold Towers.

### [XII: “One Born to Love You, Sweet”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xii-one-born-to-love-you-sweet)

Mentioned in Vansittart's letter to his mother, as he hopes Eve will be like a second daughter to her.

### [XIII: “The Time of Lovers Is Brief”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xiii-the-time-of-lovers-is-brief)

Expresses disappointment at her brother's choice, though she admits Eve is adorable, and worries about the Marchant family's drawbacks.

### [XIV: As a Spirit from Dream to Dream](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xiv-as-a-spirit-from-dream-to-dream)

Lady Hartley is kind to Eve, taking her to London and helping her prepare her trousseau, acting as a generous sister figure.

### [XV: “Love Should Be Absolute Love”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xv-love-should-be-absolute-love)

Mentioned as generous and kind, dressing exquisitely but not extravagant, and remembered for her childhood charity.

### [From the Evil to Come](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xxi-from-the-evil-to-come)

Eve's mother-in-law, now showing more affection toward Eve, acknowledging her as Mrs. John Vansittart.

### [The Little Rift](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xxiii-the-little-rift)

Maud, now Lady Hartley, hosts a party where Lisa Vivanti performs. She is part of the social circle that Eve and Vansittart move in.

### [XXIX: 'Tis Not the Same Now, Never More Can Be](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xxix-tis-not-the-same-now-never-more-can-be)

Mentioned as the woman who revealed the truth to Eve, though not present in this chapter.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/characters/maud_hartley
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/characters