# Lord Mark — The Wings of the Dove character guide

> Lord Mark in The Wings of the Dove by Henry James.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mark, old Lord Mark, Book V I Lord Mark

**First appearance:** 0001-the-wings-of-the-dove

## Who they are

A polished, impecunious English aristocrat who courts Milly Theale with the easy assurance of a man who has always been welcomed everywhere.

## Relationships

### [Milly Theale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wings_of_the_dove_se/characters/milly_theale)

_romantic_

Lord Mark pursues Milly for her money, and his rejection leads him to reveal Kate and Densher's plot.

### [Kate Croy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wings_of_the_dove_se/characters/kate_croy)

_social_

Kate uses Lord Mark as a potential distraction for Milly, but he later betrays her scheme.

### [Merton Densher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wings_of_the_dove_se/characters/merton_densher)

_rivalry_

Rivals for Milly's attention and fortune, with Lord Mark ultimately exposing Densher's deception.

### [Susan Stringham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wings_of_the_dove_se/characters/susan_stringham)

_social_

Lord Mark is a persistent but unwelcome suitor in Susan's eyes for Milly.

### [Milly Theale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wings_of_the_dove_se/characters/milly_theale)

_romantic_

Lord Mark pursues Milly for her money, and his rejection leads him to reveal Kate and Densher's plot.

### [Milly Theale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wings_of_the_dove_se/characters/milly_theale)

_romantic_

Lord Mark pursues Milly for her money, and his rejection leads him to reveal Kate and Densher's plot.

### [Merton Densher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wings_of_the_dove_se/characters/merton_densher)

_rivalry_

Rivals for Milly's attention and fortune, with Lord Mark ultimately exposing Densher's deception.

### [Kate Croy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wings_of_the_dove_se/characters/kate_croy)

_social_

Kate uses Lord Mark as a potential distraction for Milly, but he later betrays her scheme.

### [Susan Stringham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wings_of_the_dove_se/characters/susan_stringham)

_social_

Lord Mark is a persistent but unwelcome suitor in Susan's eyes for Milly.

### [Kate Croy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wings_of_the_dove_se/characters/kate_croy)

_social_

Kate uses Lord Mark as a potential distraction for Milly, but he later betrays her scheme.

### [Merton Densher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wings_of_the_dove_se/characters/merton_densher)

_rivalry_

Rivals for Milly's attention and fortune, with Lord Mark ultimately exposing Densher's deception.

## In the story

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

Marian refers to him as 'Aunt Maud's young man'; Kate dismisses the talk as vulgar twaddle.

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

Lord Mark engages Milly in conversation, expressing his inability to understand Kate Croy and showing a surprising lack of curiosity about Milly herself. He admits to having 'failed with' Kate and asks Milly to tell him about her.

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

Lord Mark is mentioned as a subject of Milly's curiosity; she asks Kate about him and wishes to be told more.

### [Book V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wings_of_the_dove_se/chapters/book-v)

Lord Mark actively courts Milly, proposing marriage and revealing crucial information later.

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

Lord Mark moves through the scene with a subtle, knowing presence. Milly senses an unspoken understanding with him, though he remains tactfully indirect.

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

Lord Mark escorts Milly through the house to view the Bronzino portrait, introducing her to various acquaintances along the way.

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

Lord Mark is discussed as a topic; Kate describes him as not the cleverest creature in England and as weighing things out in ounces.

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

Lord Mark shows concern for Milly's health and probes her intentions, while Milly steers him toward Kate Croy.

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

Lord Mark's brief visit to propose to Milly and his subsequent departure without seeing others is discussed.

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

Lord Mark visited Milly, proposed to Kate and was refused, and is suspected by Densher of taking base revenge by revealing something to Milly.

### [Book Tenth, Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wings_of_the_dove_se/chapters/i)

Mentioned as the one who revealed the secret engagement to Milly, triggering her decline.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wings_of_the_dove_se/characters/lord_mark
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wings_of_the_dove_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wings_of_the_dove_se/characters