# Captain Walter Marrable — The Vicar of Bullhampton character guide > Captain Walter Marrable in The Vicar of Bullhampton by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Walter, Captain Marrable, Walter Marrable, cousin Walter, Marrable **First appearance:** 0014-xiii-captain-marrable-and-his-father ## Snapshot A soldier seven years Mary's senior, newly quarrelled with his disreputable father and newly arrived at Loring Rectory. ## Who they are Walter Marrable comes to his uncle Parson John's rectory fresh from a rupture with Colonel Marrable — a man of debts, arrests, and broken promises whom the whole family has spent its interest on. He remembers Mary from Dunripple as the most beautiful little girl in the world, and warns his uncle he has no heart left for kind words to anyone. His loss of the fortune he expected turns an idle visit into a reckoning with what he can and cannot offer the woman he comes to love. ## Relationships ### [Mary Lowther](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/mary_lowther) _romantic_ Walter is Mary's beloved and reciprocated romantic interest, though their relationship faces obstacles from family and circumstance. ### [Sir Gregory Marrable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/sir_gregory_marrable) _family_ Walter is the nephew of Sir Gregory, who disapproves of Walter's romantic choices and exerts familial pressure. ### [Parson John Marrable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/parson_john_marrable) _family_ Walter is the son of Parson John, and their relationship is marked by filial duty and some conflict over Walter's future. ### [Edith Brownlow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/edith_brownlow) _social_ Edith is a former romantic interest of Walter, and their relationship is one of polite but distant acquaintance after his rejection. ### [Mary Lowther](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/mary_lowther) _romantic_ Walter is Mary's beloved and reciprocated romantic interest, though their relationship faces obstacles from family and circumstance. ### [Mary Lowther](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/mary_lowther) _romantic_ Walter is Mary's beloved and reciprocated romantic interest, though their relationship faces obstacles from family and circumstance. ### [Sir Gregory Marrable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/sir_gregory_marrable) _family_ Walter is the nephew of Sir Gregory, who disapproves of Walter's romantic choices and exerts familial pressure. ### [Parson John Marrable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/parson_john_marrable) _family_ Walter is the son of Parson John, and their relationship is marked by filial duty and some conflict over Walter's future. ### [Sir Gregory Marrable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/sir_gregory_marrable) _family_ Walter is the nephew of Sir Gregory, who disapproves of Walter's romantic choices and exerts familial pressure. ### [Parson John Marrable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/parson_john_marrable) _family_ Walter is the son of Parson John, and their relationship is marked by filial duty and some conflict over Walter's future. ### [Edith Brownlow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/edith_brownlow) _social_ Edith is a former romantic interest of Walter, and their relationship is one of polite but distant acquaintance after his rejection. ### [Edith Brownlow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/edith_brownlow) _social_ Edith is a former romantic interest of Walter, and their relationship is one of polite but distant acquaintance after his rejection. ## In the story ### [Captain Marrable and His Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xiii-captain-marrable-and-his-father) Introduced as a second hero; described as handsome but with a swarthy, fierce countenance. He has been robbed of his inheritance by his father and is staying with his uncle Parson John. ### [Cousinhood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xiv-cousinhood) Mary's cousin; walks with her on the towing-path; is told the story of the murder and hears Mr. Gilmore's name mentioned. ### [XVI: Miss Lowther Asks for Advice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xvi-miss-lowther-asks-for-advice) Captain Marrable is dealing with the legal recovery of his inheritance from his father, Colonel Marrable. He grows close to Mary and discusses his financial troubles with her and her aunt. ### [Blank Paper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xviii-blank-paper) Walter returns from London with good news about his inheritance, allowing him to stay in England. He confesses his love to Mary and proposes. ### [XX: I Have a Jupiter of My Own Now](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xx-i-have-a-jupiter-of-my-own-now) Accepted as Mary's lover; visits but is not received by Miss Marrable; discusses their financial prospects. ### [XXI: What Parson John Thinks About It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxi-what-parson-john-thinks-about-it) Walter is determined to marry Mary despite financial obstacles; he discusses plans for a farm or moving to India with Parson John. ### [What the Fenwicks Thought About It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxii-what-the-fenwicks-thought-about-it) Mary's new fiancé, whom Mrs. Fenwick dislikes based on hearsay about his father. Mr. Fenwick cautions against judging the son by the father. ### [What Mr. Gilmore Thought About It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxiii-what-mr-gilmore-thought-about-it) Identified as Mary's successful rival; Gilmore resents him as a 'fellow with a moustache and a military strut.' ### [The Bull at Loring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxix-the-bull-at-loring) Reported by the waiter to have just returned from London and to be staying at the Lowtown parsonage; described as a handsome gentleman. ### [The Aunt and the Uncle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxx-the-aunt-and-the-uncle) Struggles with the decision to break off the engagement after his uncle's harsh counsel, fearing for Mary's future. ### [Mary Lowther Feels Her Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxxi-mary-lowther-feels-her-way) Walks with Mary and insists he must go to India before marriage, showing his commitment despite their reduced circumstances. ### [Mr. Gilmore's Success](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxxii-mr-gilmore-s-success) Mentioned as Mary's fiancé; his limited income as a poor soldier is the primary obstacle to the marriage. ### [Farewell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxxiii-farewell) Receives Mary's letter, responds passionately, visits Loring for a last meeting, and confronts his father at Portsmouth. ### [Female Martyrdom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxxvii-female-martyrdom) Walter is at Dunripple hunting, though with a lugubrious air; he is less consumed by sorrow than Mary, partly due to his active life. ### [The Marrables of Dunripple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xliv-the-marrables-of-dunripple) Staying at Dunripple, conflicted about his broken engagement to Mary Lowther and the family's expectations regarding Edith Brownlow. ### [XLV: What Shall I Do with Myself?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xlv-what-shall-i-do-with-myself) Reported to be enjoying life at Dunripple and possibly courting Edith Brownlow. ### [Mary Lowther Inspects Her Future Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/l-mary-lowther-inspects-her-future-home) Mentioned as someone Mary briefly considers writing to, but decides against it. ### [Mr. Gilmore's Rubies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/liv-mr-gilmore-s-rubies) Mentioned in Miss Marrable's letter as likely to marry Edith Brownlow. ### [LVIII: Edith Brownlow’s Dream](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lviii-edith-brownlow-s-dream) Visits Dunripple, confides in Edith about his broken engagement to Mary Lowther, and expresses his intention to seek her out again. ### [News from Dunripple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lix-news-from-dunripple) Writes to Mary about Gregory's death; his presence at Dunripple and his relationship with Mary are central to the chapter. ### [LXI: Mary Lowther’s Treachery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lxi-mary-lowther-s-treachery) The man Mary loves; his letter prompts her to break her engagement. ### [Sir Gregory Marrable Has a Headache](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lxvii-sir-gregory-marrable-has-a-headache) Now engaged to Mary Lowther; informs his father of Sir Gregory's displeasure and his intention to wait. ### [The End of Mary Lowther's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lxxi-the-end-of-mary-lowther-s-story) Writes to Mary announcing he is selling out of his regiment to become deputy squire at Dunripple; his uncle Sir Gregory has assented to the marriage. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/captain_walter_marrable - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters