# Felice Charmond — The Woodlanders character guide > Felice Charmond in The Woodlanders by Thomas Hardy. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mrs. Charmond, Charmond, Felice **First appearance:** 0005-vi ## Snapshot The beautiful, idle widow of the great house at Hintock, whose boredom and appetite for admiration make her dangerous to any man who catches her eye. ## Who they are Mrs. Charmond owns the estate that swallowed the old Melbury manor, and she lives there alone, without companion or relative, wintering abroad in some years and staying put in others. Restless, self-indulgent, and weary of her own reputation, she finds in Fitzpiers a diversion that deepens past flirtation into something she cannot easily dismiss. Her wealth and carelessness give her the power to take what Grace has, and she wields it without much thought for the wreckage. ## Relationships ### [Grace Melbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/grace_melbury) _rivalry_ Felice Charmond competes with Grace for social standing and romantic attention, creating tension and jealousy. ### [Giles Winterborne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/giles_winterborne) _romantic_ Felice Charmond is attracted to Giles and attempts to seduce him, creating a romantic triangle with Grace. ### [George Melbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/george_melbury) _social_ Felice Charmond and George Melbury are neighbors of different social classes, with occasional formal interactions. ### [Marty South](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/marty_south) _professional_ Felice Charmond employs Marty South as a servant and sometimes confidante, though the power dynamic is unequal. ### [Grammer Oliver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/grammer_oliver) _social_ Felice Charmond and Grammer Oliver are acquaintances in the village, with occasional interactions due to proximity. ### [Grace Melbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/grace_melbury) _rivalry_ Felice Charmond competes with Grace for social standing and romantic attention, creating tension and jealousy. ### [Grace Melbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/grace_melbury) _rivalry_ Felice Charmond competes with Grace for social standing and romantic attention, creating tension and jealousy. ### [Giles Winterborne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/giles_winterborne) _romantic_ Felice Charmond is attracted to Giles and attempts to seduce him, creating a romantic triangle with Grace. ### [Marty South](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/marty_south) _professional_ Felice Charmond employs Marty South as a servant and sometimes confidante, though the power dynamic is unequal. ### [Grammer Oliver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/grammer_oliver) _social_ Felice Charmond and Grammer Oliver are acquaintances in the village, with occasional interactions due to proximity. ### [George Melbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/george_melbury) _social_ Felice Charmond and George Melbury are neighbors of different social classes, with occasional formal interactions. ### [George Melbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/george_melbury) _social_ Felice Charmond and George Melbury are neighbors of different social classes, with occasional formal interactions. ## In the story ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/ii) The wealthy lady at the House who desires Marty's hair to match her own, intending to use it abroad to attract a foreign gentleman. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/v) Travels in her carriage and offers Marty a ride; yawns from boredom, revealing her dissatisfaction despite wealth. She is connected to Marty's hair sale. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned as having granted Mr. Melbury favorable terms for timber felling on her land, indicating her disinterest in Hintock. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/vii) Meets Grace and Melbury on a ride, takes a liking to Grace, and invites her to Hintock House. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/viii) Hosts Grace at Hintock House, showing her mantraps and discussing the new surgeon; seems lonely and interested in Grace's company. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xi) Abruptly ceases contact with Grace after the latter attends Giles's party, leading Melbury to believe she disapproves of Grace's associations. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xiii) Passes by in her carriage; her beautiful braided hair is admired by Grace. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xiv) Mentioned as the owner of the elm tree and the cottages; she arranged for Dr. Fitzpiers to attend John South. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xvi) Mentioned as the owner of the adjoining estate into which Little Hintock has been absorbed. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxi) Mentioned as the object of the stranger's pursuit; she is reportedly still in London, not at Hintock House. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxv) Is mentioned as having returned to Hintock and having commented on Fitzpiers's marriage; later summons him after a carriage accident. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxvi) Her phaeton overturns on the rubble of Winterborne's house; she summons Fitzpiers and reveals their prior acquaintance in Heidelberg. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxvii) Mrs. Charmond is in a deeply melancholy state, tells Fitzpiers they must part, and announces she is going to Middleton Abbey. Later she learns about Grace's former engagement to Giles and feels remorse. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxviii) Staying at Middleton Abbey; the object of Fitzpiers's secret visits. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxix) Mrs. Charmond is the object of Fitzpiers's infatuation, as revealed by his sleep-talking. Melbury suspects she has encouraged Fitzpiers. ### [Chapter 31](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxx) Returns to Hintock and is observed exchanging intimate glances and gestures with Fitzpiers; her cheek flushes in his presence. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxi) Revealed to have been an actress before marriage; Melbury plans to appeal to her regarding Fitzpiers's infidelity. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxii) Receives Melbury's plea with indignation and distress, later retreats to the woods in emotional turmoil. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxiii) Approaches Grace in the woods, confesses her love for Fitzpiers and the depth of their affair, then sobs in remorse. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxiv) Decides to leave for the Continent; is seen slipping out of the Manor House with Fitzpiers. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxv) Also arrives in panic over Fitzpiers's accident, revealing her deep concern and her relationship with him. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxvi) Sits in deep reverie after overhearing Melbury, resolves to leave Hintock but is overcome when she finds Fitzpiers wounded at her window; she hides and tends to him. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxvii) Assists Fitzpiers in his escape by disguising him; leaves Hintock for a continental tour, and is rumored to be with Fitzpiers in Baden. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xli) Referenced indirectly as the woman with whom Fitzpiers had an affair, prompting Grace's departure. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xliii) Reported dead by Fitzpiers, killed in a quarrel linked to Marty South's letter. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/felice_charmond - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters