# Collins — The Well of Loneliness character guide

> Collins in The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** old Collins, poor Collins

**First appearance:** 0003-book-i

## Who they are

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

## Relationships

### [Stephen Gordon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters/stephen_gordon)

_professional_

Collins is the Gordon family's loyal groom and later Stephen's devoted servant and friend.

### [Stephen Gordon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters/stephen_gordon)

_professional_

Collins is the Gordon family's loyal groom and later Stephen's devoted servant and friend.

### [Stephen Gordon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters/stephen_gordon)

_professional_

Collins is the Gordon family's loyal groom and later Stephen's devoted servant and friend.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii)

Collins becomes more affectionate after the housemaid's knee incident, but dismisses Stephen's intense declarations of love.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/v)

The maid who becomes distant from Stephen due to her involvement with the footman Henry; is sent away by Sir Philip.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/vi)

Dismissed by Sir Philip following Stephen's outburst.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i)

The former second housemaid whose disappearance causes Stephen deep sorrow and a sense of betrayal.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/ii)

His departure is the catalyst for Anna's increased attention toward Stephen.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i)

The former maid whom Stephen loved; her image fades from Stephen's memory, prompting attempts at magical recall.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iv)

Stephen's pony, described as trembling from exertion and excitement after the hunt.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/vi)

Impatiently walks off to his loosebox after the hunt.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i)

Aged and nearly blind in one eye; Stephen brings him sugar, but he bites her hand by mistake.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i)

A former housemaid recalled in Stephen's memory of a childhood incident involving a footman.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i)

The groom who urges Stephen to resume hunting, worried about the horses going stale.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i)

Collins is an aged horse that has taken to eating his bedding in senile decay.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/i)

An old horse with a morbid passion for straw, swollen and dyspeptic; Stephen leaves him after a mild reproof.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iii)

The old groom Williams, who is grief-stricken and confused, mistaking Stephen for her father in his distress.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/chapters/iv)

Mentioned as having died of colic; his old stall and equipment are decaying.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters/collins
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_of_loneliness_se/characters