The Well of Loneliness · Character

Collins

The elderly, half-blind butler at the Gordon family estate.

minor

Also known as old Collins, poor Collins

First appearance: book i

Collins's tie to Stephen Gordon is one of the pressures that moves The Well of Loneliness—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

The 'second of three' housemaid with blue eyes and a full figure; she lies to protect herself from the nurse's scolding but later kisses Stephen, deepening Stephen's attachment.

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With Stephen Gordon (professional): Collins is the Gordon family's loyal groom and later Stephen's devoted servant and friend. With Stephen Gordon (professional): Collins is the Gordon family's loyal groom and later…

Continue beside the text

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

See Collins in book i

Character Web

17 connections

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

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Core characters and family
Minor Parisian acquaintances
Protagonist
Extended cast and background figures

+12 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Stephen reaches an emotional and psychological peak when her "blinding flash of insight" reveals that Martin h…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Stephen Gordon
professional · positive
Collins is the Gordon family's loyal groom and later Stephen's devoted servant and friend. How this plays out →
Stephen Gordon
professional · positive
Collins is the Gordon family's loyal groom and later Stephen's devoted servant and friend. How this plays out →
Stephen Gordon
professional · positive
Collins is the Gordon family's loyal groom and later Stephen's devoted servant and friend. How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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

See Collins in book i

In the story

Collins appears across 17 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
II
III
V
VI
I
II
I
+9 more

I
The 'second of three' housemaid with blue eyes and a full figure; she lies to protect herself from the nurse's scolding but later kisses Stephen, deepening Stephen's attachment.
II
The housemaid with housemaid's knee; becomes the object of Stephen's devotion; initially plays along but later lies to stop Stephen's self-torture.
III
Collins becomes more affectionate after the housemaid's knee incident, but dismisses Stephen's intense declarations of love.
V
The maid who becomes distant from Stephen due to her involvement with the footman Henry; is sent away by Sir Philip.
VI
Dismissed by Sir Philip following Stephen's outburst.
I
The former second housemaid whose disappearance causes Stephen deep sorrow and a sense of betrayal.
II
His departure is the catalyst for Anna's increased attention toward Stephen.
I
The former maid whom Stephen loved; her image fades from Stephen's memory, prompting attempts at magical recall.
IV
Stephen's pony, described as trembling from exertion and excitement after the hunt.
VI
Impatiently walks off to his loosebox after the hunt.
I
Aged and nearly blind in one eye; Stephen brings him sugar, but he bites her hand by mistake.
I
A former housemaid recalled in Stephen's memory of a childhood incident involving a footman.
I
The groom who urges Stephen to resume hunting, worried about the horses going stale.
I
Collins is an aged horse that has taken to eating his bedding in senile decay.
I
An old horse with a morbid passion for straw, swollen and dyspeptic; Stephen leaves him after a mild reproof.
III
The old groom Williams, who is grief-stricken and confused, mistaking Stephen for her father in his distress.
IV
Mentioned as having died of colic; his old stall and equipment are decaying.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Collins in book i

See Collins in I