# Grace Melbury — The Woodlanders character guide > Grace Melbury in The Woodlanders by Thomas Hardy. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Grace, Miss Grace Melbury, Miss Melbury, Grace Fitzpiers **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot Educated above her timber-merchant roots, Grace returns to Little Hintock a polished stranger, torn between the suitors her father chose and the world she has learned to want. ## Who they are Grace is the doted-on only daughter of a prosperous timber-merchant who spent beyond his means to make her a lady, and she comes home carrying an education that no one in the village quite shares. Her father's old promise binds her toward the honest woodsman Giles Winterborne, while the newly arrived Dr. Fitzpiers offers the refinement her training has taught her to crave. Her divided loyalty between duty and desire sets the whole quiet tragedy of Hintock in motion. ## Relationships ### [Giles Winterborne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/giles_winterborne) _romantic_ Giles is deeply in love with Grace, but their relationship is complicated by social class and her father's ambitions. ### [Felice Charmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/felice_charmond) _rivalry_ Felice Charmond competes with Grace for social standing and romantic attention, creating tension and jealousy. ### [Marty South](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/marty_south) _friendship_ Grace and Marty share a quiet, sympathetic bond as women navigating love and loss in the woodland community. ### [Timothy Tangs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/timothy_tangs) _social_ Timothy Tangs is a local man who interacts with Grace as a fellow villager, with no deep emotional connection. ### [George Melbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/george_melbury) _family_ George is Grace's father, who dotes on her but pressures her into a socially advantageous marriage against her heart. ### [Grammer Oliver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/grammer_oliver) _social_ Grammer Oliver is an elderly servant in the Melbury household, interacting with Grace in a familiar, domestic capacity. ### [Darling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/darling) _friendship_ Darling is Grace's pet dog, providing her with loyal companionship and comfort. ### [Suke Damson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/suke_damson) _social_ Grace and Suke are village women who know each other socially, with some underlying rivalry over men. ### [Fred Beaucock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/fred_beaucock) _professional_ Fred Beaucock is a lawyer's clerk who handles legal matters for Grace's family, interacting with her formally. ### [Old Dr. Jones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/old_dr_jones) _professional_ Old Dr. Jones is the local physician who attends to Grace and her family in medical matters. ### [Giles Winterborne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/giles_winterborne) _romantic_ Giles is deeply in love with Grace, but their relationship is complicated by social class and her father's ambitions. ### [Giles Winterborne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/giles_winterborne) _romantic_ Giles is deeply in love with Grace, but their relationship is complicated by social class and her father's ambitions. ## In the story ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as the daughter Melbury is anxious about; her shoe print is preserved by her father, and she is the intended bride for Giles. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/iv) Expected home from school; sends a letter announcing her arrival for today. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/v) Returns to Hintock after a year; is described in detail, noting her variable beauty and reserved nature. She walks with Giles in Sherton Abbas. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/vi) Returns home from school, distracted by visions of fashionable society; she is polite but evasive with Giles, and later learns of Dr. Fitzpiers's strange bargain with Grammer Oliver. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/vii) Accompanies her father to the auction, is invited by Mrs. Charmond to visit, and is seen preparing excitedly for the visit. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/viii) Visits Mrs. Charmond at Hintock House, feeling pride and anticipation; her appearance contrasts with Mrs. Charmond's in the mirror. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/ix) Enthusiastic about Mrs. Charmond's proposal to travel abroad; her refined tastes and social aspirations create tension with Giles. ### [The Party at Winterborne's](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/x) Attends the party but feels out of place; endures a snail on her plate and a splash of hot food with composure. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xi) Feels honor-bound to marry Giles despite her refined tastes; shows a tender pity for Giles and begins to re-acclimate to Hintock life. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xii) Grace is troubled by her father's ambitions for her and feels like a 'chattel' as he pushes her to learn about finances and social advancement. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xiii) Tells Giles their engagement is off, acting on her father's advice; feels regret and admiration for Mrs. Charmond's hair. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xv) Feels renewed sympathy for Giles; secretly alters the wall writing from 'lose' to 'keep'; briefly asks her father to continue the engagement. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xvi) Seen by Fitzpiers drawing curtains at her father's house; described as attractive and gentlewomanly. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xvii) Visits Grammer Oliver and reluctantly agrees to intercede with Fitzpiers to cancel the brain bargain. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xviii) Visits Fitzpiers on a delicate errand to retrieve Grammer Oliver's signed agreement, showing her sensitivity and moral concern. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xix) Grace is present at the bark-ripping picnic, initially unaware of Fitzpiers's proximity. She is startled by her horse and is assisted by Fitzpiers, experiencing emotional disturbance in his presence. Later, she walks home with Marty South, denying any connection to Giles Winterborne. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xx) Participates in the Midsummer Eve ritual and is caught and embraced by Fitzpiers, marking a new phase in their relationship. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxii) Is informed by her father of Fitzpiers's intentions; she feels ambivalent and conflicted, recognizing Fitzpiers's fascination but not seeing him as a destined husband, and she is troubled by her lingering thoughts of Giles Winterborne. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxiii) Grace is persuaded by her father to consider Fitzpiers, visits the Fitzpiers castle ruins, and becomes engaged to Fitzpiers despite her reservations about a registry office wedding. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxiv) Grace is torn between her doubts about Fitzpiers and her father's pressure, ultimately agreeing to marry him after his explanation. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxv) Returns to Hintock as Mrs. Fitzpiers, warmly welcomes neighbors, but is hurt by Fitzpiers's distaste for her family and friends. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxvi) Awake in bed when Fitzpiers returns; questions him about Mrs. Charmond's condition and whether she was mentioned. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxvii) Grace eagerly meets Fitzpiers, hoping he has accepted the Budmouth practice, but is disappointed when he says he has declined it. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxviii) Discovers Fitzpiers's deception and reflects on the nature of her love for him; walks with Giles and learns of the affair. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxix) Grace grows disillusioned with her marriage, realizing Fitzpiers has been unfaithful. She confronts Suke Damson and begins to emotionally withdraw from her husband. ### [Chapter 31](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxx) Grows abstracted and quiet, having discovered that her early interest in Giles Winterborne has revitalized; refuses to confront Mrs. Charmond. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxi) Mentioned as still loving Giles and despising the refinements her father bought her; she refuses to appeal to Mrs. Charmond. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxii) Mentioned as the daughter whose marriage and happiness are at stake; Melbury acts on her behalf. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxiii) Anxious about her father, she walks in the woods and confronts Mrs. Charmond, learning the full extent of her husband's affair. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxiv) Away visiting a friend at Shottsford-Forum; unwell, her father arranges for her return. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxv) Returns home to find Suke Damson and Felice Charmond seeking news of Fitzpiers; she displays a mix of sarcasm and empathy. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxvi) Mentioned as the recipient of Fitzpiers's cold marital letter; she is the nominal wife from whom he is parting. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxvii) Suffers from feverish nervous attacks and terror of Fitzpiers's return; receives a letter from her father falsely assuring her of impending freedom. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxviii) Finds solace in the idea of the 'new law' but is painfully reminded of her refined tastes when confronted with humble surroundings. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xxxix) Grace learns from her father that she is still legally Fitzpiers's wife and cannot marry Giles. She struggles with shame over her forwardness with Giles and anxiety about her father's disappointment. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xl) Living in seclusion, she receives a letter from Fitzpiers and later flees to Giles's hut to avoid her husband's return. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xli) Flees to Giles's hut, conflicted about her marriage and her feelings for Giles, accepts his shelter and care. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xlii) Nurses Giles Winterborne devotedly, then risks her concealment to fetch Dr. Fitzpiers for medical help. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xliii) Nurses Giles Winterborne in his final hours, refuses Fitzpiers' medical advice, and returns to her father's house after banishing her husband. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xliv) Falls ill after her flight, recovers using Fitzpiers's febrifuge, and visits Giles's grave with Marty, reflecting on her grief. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xlv) Receives a love letter from Fitzpiers and agrees to meet him, seeking his professional opinion about her role in Winterborne's death. She remains firm in her grief, stating her heart is with Giles. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xlvi) Keeps indoors, visits Giles's grave with Marty, and resists Fitzpiers's advances while admitting her lingering devotion to Giles. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xlvii) Escapes the mantrap by removing her skirt, then reunites with Fitzpiers. She agrees to accompany him to the Midlands but worries about her father's disapproval. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/chapters/xlviii) Missing from home; later found at the Earl of Wessex Hotel in Sherton, having been seen walking with a gentleman. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters/grace_melbury - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woodlanders_se/characters