# Mary Lowther — The Vicar of Bullhampton character guide > Mary Lowther in The Vicar of Bullhampton by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mary, Miss Lowther, Miss Mary Lowther, cousin Mary, Dearest Mary **First appearance:** 0001-the-vicar-of-bullhampton ## Snapshot A clear-eyed young woman who refuses to surrender her engagement to a poor soldier, even when her aunt and half the county counsel prudence. ## Who they are Mary Lowther arrives in Bullhampton as the woman Harry Gilmore loves and cannot win, and as the cousin Walter Marrable remembers as the loveliest little girl at Dunripple. When Walter's inheritance collapses, she faces Aunt Sarah's blunt arithmetic — a man going out to India on an officer's pay cannot afford a wife — and answers that marriage is like death, common to all. Her stubborn loyalty sets the romantic and moral weather of the novel's middle chapters. ## Relationships ### [Harry Gilmore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/harry_gilmore) _romantic_ Harry is Mary's devoted but ultimately rejected suitor, whose persistent love is met with her ambivalence and eventual refusal. ### [Captain Walter Marrable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/captain_walter_marrable) _romantic_ Walter is Mary's beloved and reciprocated romantic interest, though their relationship faces obstacles from family and circumstance. ### [Mr. Fenwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/mr_fenwick) _friendship_ Mary and the vicar share a close, trusting friendship, with Fenwick acting as her confidant and moral guide. ### [Aunt Sarah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/aunt_sarah) _family_ Aunt Sarah is Mary's strict, disapproving aunt who tries to control Mary's choices, creating tension between them. ### [Janet Fenwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/janet_fenwick) _friendship_ Janet, the vicar's wife, is Mary's close friend and confidante, offering warmth and support. ### [Parson John Marrable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/parson_john_marrable) _social_ Mary is acquainted with Parson John as the father of her lover Walter, and their interactions are polite but strained. ### [Captain Walter Marrable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/captain_walter_marrable) _romantic_ Walter is Mary's beloved and reciprocated romantic interest, though their relationship faces obstacles from family and circumstance. ### [Mr. Fenwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/mr_fenwick) _friendship_ Mary and the vicar share a close, trusting friendship, with Fenwick acting as her confidant and moral guide. ### [Captain Walter Marrable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/captain_walter_marrable) _romantic_ Walter is Mary's beloved and reciprocated romantic interest, though their relationship faces obstacles from family and circumstance. ### [Harry Gilmore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/harry_gilmore) _romantic_ Harry is Mary's devoted but ultimately rejected suitor, whose persistent love is met with her ambivalence and eventual refusal. ### [Aunt Sarah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/aunt_sarah) _family_ Aunt Sarah is Mary's strict, disapproving aunt who tries to control Mary's choices, creating tension between them. ### [Mr. Fenwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/mr_fenwick) _friendship_ Mary and the vicar share a close, trusting friendship, with Fenwick acting as her confidant and moral guide. ## In the story ### [I: Bullhampton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/i-bullhampton) A young woman staying at the vicarage, rumored to be engaged to Harry Gilmore. Described as tall, with dark brown hair and grey eyes. ### [Flo's Red Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/ii-flo-s-red-ball) Struggles with her decision about Gilmore's proposal; rescues Flo's ball from the river. ### [IV: There Is No One Else](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/iv-there-is-no-one-else) Mary rejects Gilmore's proposal, citing lack of love, and decides to return to Loring. ### [The Last Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/viii-the-last-day) Leaves Bullhampton for Loring, feeling melancholy and conflicted about rejecting Harry Gilmore's proposal. ### [Miss Marrable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/ix-miss-marrable) Returns to her aunt Miss Marrable in Loring; expresses weariness with Mr. Gilmore and insists she will never marry him. ### [Captain Marrable and His Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xiii-captain-marrable-and-his-father) Present at Loring; meets her cousin Walter Marrable for the first time since childhood. Miss Marrable mentions she may be engaged to a man in Wiltshire. ### [Cousinhood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xiv-cousinhood) Receives the shocking news of Mr. Trumbull's murder and Sam Brattle's arrest; discusses the events with her aunt and Captain Marrable; reflects on her own connection to the case through Agnes Pope. ### [XVI: Miss Lowther Asks for Advice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xvi-miss-lowther-asks-for-advice) Mary is staying with her aunt, Miss Marrable, and is conflicted about her relationship with Harry Gilmore. She decides to tell her cousin Walter about Gilmore's proposal and seek his advice. ### [Blank Paper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xviii-blank-paper) Mary is overjoyed at Walter's return and seeks his advice about ending her engagement to Gilmore. She realizes she loves Walter and accepts his proposal. ### [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) Returns home and announces her engagement to Walter Marrable; writes letters to Janet Fenwick and Mr. Gilmore. ### [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) Mary is the subject of the engagement discussion; she wrote two despatches to Bullhampton earlier that Thursday. ### [What the Fenwicks Thought About It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxii-what-the-fenwicks-thought-about-it) Her letter announcing her engagement to Walter Marrable is the central topic. Mrs. Fenwick criticizes her for acting so quickly, but Mr. Fenwick defends her honesty. ### [What Mr. Gilmore Thought About It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxiii-what-mr-gilmore-thought-about-it) Her letter rejecting Gilmore's proposal is the central event; she is mentioned as having chosen Captain Marrable. ### [The Bull at Loring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxix-the-bull-at-loring) The object of Gilmore's journey; he hopes to save her from a match he believes is unworthy. ### [The Aunt and the Uncle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxx-the-aunt-and-the-uncle) Defends her engagement to Captain Marrable against her aunt's prudent objections, insisting she will never give him up. ### [Mary Lowther Feels Her Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxxi-mary-lowther-feels-her-way) Seeks to understand Captain Marrable's true feelings and offers him freedom from their engagement if poverty or his career demands it. ### [Mr. Gilmore's Success](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxxii-mr-gilmore-s-success) Not present in the scene but central to the discussion; her engagement to Captain Marrable is in jeopardy due to lack of income, and she is described as devoted to her cousin. ### [Farewell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxxiii-farewell) Writes a tearful but resolute letter breaking the engagement; meets Walter for a final farewell. ### [Bullhampton News](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxxiv-bullhampton-news) Her engagement to Captain Marrable has ended; she bears her burden well but still suffers from the loss. ### [Female Martyrdom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxxvii-female-martyrdom) Mary is deeply wretched after breaking her engagement with Walter, feeling broken and fragmented, yet she bears her sorrow well outwardly. ### [A Lover's Madness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxxviii-a-lover-s-madness) Responds to Mrs. Fenwick's letter with humor about the chapel but firmly declines to revisit Bullhampton or engage with Gilmore. ### [The Marrables of Dunripple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xliv-the-marrables-of-dunripple) Walter's cousin and former fiancée; he considers telling Edith about her but refrains. ### [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) Struggles with the news of Walter's possible marriage to Edith Brownlow and decides to visit Bullhampton. ### [Mary Lowther Returns to Bullhampton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xlviii-mary-lowther-returns-to-bullhampton) Returns to Bullhampton and must confront her feelings for Harry Gilmore, though she remains conflicted. ### [Mary Lowther's Doom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xlix-mary-lowther-s-doom) Struggles with shame and resignation, decides to accept Mr. Gilmore's proposal despite her love for another. ### [Mary Lowther Inspects Her Future Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/l-mary-lowther-inspects-her-future-home) Accepts Gilmore's proposal without love, inspects his house with forced enthusiasm, and writes a cold letter to her aunt. ### [Mr. Gilmore's Rubies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/liv-mr-gilmore-s-rubies) Struggles with her engagement to Harry Gilmore, feeling unable to love him; receives a set of rubies and resolves to continue. ### [LV: Glebe Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lv-glebe-land) Accompanies Mrs. Fenwick to the school, supports tearing down the chapel, and is being pressured by Harry Gilmore to set a wedding date. ### [LVIII: Edith Brownlow’s Dream](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lviii-edith-brownlow-s-dream) Mentioned as Walter's former fiancée, now rumored to be engaged to Mr. Gilmore, though Walter doubts her love for him. ### [News from Dunripple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lix-news-from-dunripple) Receives a letter from Walter Marrable about Gregory's death, struggles with her engagement to Gilmore, and decides to go into mourning. ### [LXI: Mary Lowther’s Treachery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lxi-mary-lowther-s-treachery) Confesses her determination not to marry Mr. Gilmore and seeks help from Mrs. Fenwick. ### [Up at the Privets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lxii-up-at-the-privets) Mary remains firm in her decision to end the engagement with Mr. Gilmore, despite the distress it causes. ### [LXIV: If I Were Your Sister!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lxiv-if-i-were-your-sister) Confronted by Gilmore, she confesses her love for Captain Marrable and is deeply wounded by his insult. ### [Mary Lowther Leaves Bullhampton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lxv-mary-lowther-leaves-bullhampton) Resolves to leave Bullhampton after a painful final interview with Gilmore; writes to her cousin and aunt; departs on Saturday. ### [Sir Gregory Marrable Has a Headache](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lxvii-sir-gregory-marrable-has-a-headache) Returns to her aunt's home after breaking off her engagement with Mr. Gilmore; reveals her renewed engagement to Walter Marrable. ### [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) Receives and replies to letters from Janet Fenwick and Walter Marrable; expresses remorse over Harry Gilmore but accepts her future as deputy squiress at Dunripple. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/mary_lowther - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters