# Sophy Marchant — The Venetians character guide > Sophy Marchant in The Venetians by M. E. Braddon. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Sophy, The more diplomatic Sophy, Poor Sophy, Miss Sophy, Sophy Marchant **First appearance:** 0000-i-in-the-city-by-the-sea ## Snapshot The diplomatic Marchant sister, smoothing over the family's social embarrassments while quietly watching what her sister's grand marriage will cost them all. ## Who they are Sophy Marchant is one of Eve's four sisters, the one noted for tact in a household where tact is scarce and their father's conduct makes every social encounter a hazard. She belongs to the awkward cluster of dependents — four sisters and an impossible father — that Vansittart's relations regard as the price of his romantic choice. Her diplomacy matters because it holds the Marchant family together at the edges of a story that keeps threatening to expose them. ## Relationships ### [Eve Marchant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/characters/eve_marchant) _family_ Sophy is Eve's sister, and their relationship is fraught with jealousy and competition for attention. ### [Mr. Sefton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/characters/mr_sefton) _psychological_ Mr. Sefton manipulates Sophy's affections as part of his larger game, using her for his own ends. ### [Eve Marchant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/characters/eve_marchant) _family_ Sophy is Eve's sister, and their relationship is fraught with jealousy and competition for attention. ### [Eve Marchant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/characters/eve_marchant) _family_ Sophy is Eve's sister, and their relationship is fraught with jealousy and competition for attention. ### [Mr. Sefton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/characters/mr_sefton) _psychological_ Mr. Sefton manipulates Sophy's affections as part of his larger game, using her for his own ends. ### [Mr. Sefton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/characters/mr_sefton) _psychological_ Mr. Sefton manipulates Sophy's affections as part of his larger game, using her for his own ends. ## In the story ### [The Prelude to Some Brighter World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/iv-the-prelude-to-some-brighter-world) One of the younger Marchant girls, present at the ball and aware of their family's lower social standing in the county. ### [Teatime in Arcadia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/v-teatime-in-arcadia) One of the grown-up Miss Marchants, she sits at the table with her elbows on it, contributing to the informal atmosphere. ### [VI: Why Should He Refrain?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/vi-why-should-he-refrain) One of Eve's sisters, present at the skating and walk home. ### [He Would Take His Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/vii-he-would-take-his-time) Present at the Homestead, sitting by the fire with Jenny. ### [One Thread in Life Worth Spinning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xi-one-thread-in-life-worth-spinning) Mentioned as the more diplomatic sister who sometimes absents herself from social gatherings. ### [The Shadow Passeth When the Tree Shall Fall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xviii-the-shadow-passeth-when-the-tree-shall-fall) One of Eve's sisters, mentioned as having called the doctor for Peggy. ### [XXIV: “Poor Kind Wild Eyes So Dashed with Light Quick Tears”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xxiv-poor-kind-wild-eyes-so-dashed-with-light-quick-tears) Engages in discussions about plays and music, eager to experience London's cultural scene. ### [XXV: “And Every Gentle Passion Sick to Death”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xxv-and-every-gentle-passion-sick-to-death) At the luncheon, she is charmed by Sefton and begins to suspect a domestic mystery. ### [Closer and Closer Swam the Thundercloud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xxvi-closer-and-closer-swam-the-thundercloud) Hopes to marry Mr. Sefton, but is disillusioned by the portrait. ### [XXVII: “Thou Mayst Be False and Yet I Know It Not”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xxvii-thou-mayst-be-false-and-yet-i-know-it-not) Heartbroken after learning of Sefton's love for another woman; confides in Eve and struggles with her emotions. ### [XXX: A Double Exile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xxx-a-double-exile) Filled with remorse for her role in the couple's separation, she rushes to Eve's side when she falls ill. She is desperate to understand the reason for the parting but is rebuffed. ### [XXXI: “Oh Tell Her, Brief Is Life, but Love Is Long”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xxxi-oh-tell-her-brief-is-life-but-love-is-long) Writes to Eve with news from home, including the marriage of Wilfred Sefton and the birth of Lady Hartley's baby. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/characters/sophy_marchant - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_venetians_se/characters