# Alice Maybell — The Wyvern Mystery character guide > Alice Maybell in The Wyvern Mystery by J. Sheridan Le Fanu. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Miss Alice Maybell, Miss Alice, Miss Maybell, little Alice, pretty Alice, Alice, pretty Alice Maybell, little Ally, poor little Alice, Alice Fairfield, Ally **First appearance:** 0000-i-alice-maybell ## Who they are Pretty, gray-eyed, shy Miss Maybell, who rides home to Wyvern afraid of the old Squire's anger and trailed by village rumors she cannot outrun. ## Relationships ### [Charles Fairfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/characters/charles_fairfield) _romantic_ Alice and Charles share a deep romantic bond, though it is strained by external pressures and secrets. ### [Sergeant-Major Archdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/characters/sergeant_major_archdale) _psychological_ Archdale exerts a manipulative and obsessive influence over Alice, creating a tense and victimizing dynamic. ### [Ry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/characters/ry) _friendship_ Alice and Ry share a loyal and supportive friendship, with Ry often acting as her protector. ### [Dulcibella Crane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/characters/dulcibella_crane) _social_ Alice and Dulcibella are acquaintances within the household, with Dulcibella serving as a confidante or servant figure. ### [Old Squire Harry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/characters/old_squire_harry) _family_ Alice and Old Squire Harry are likely grandfather and granddaughter, with a warm but complicated familial bond. ### [Mildred Tarnley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/characters/mildred_tarnley) _social_ Alice and Mildred have a strained acquaintance, with Mildred's secrets creating distance and suspicion. ### [Tom Tarnley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/characters/tom_tarnley) _social_ Alice and Tom have a tense acquaintance, with Tom's rough demeanor and family secrets creating unease. ### [Sergeant-Major Archdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/characters/sergeant_major_archdale) _psychological_ Archdale exerts a manipulative and obsessive influence over Alice, creating a tense and victimizing dynamic. ### [Ry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/characters/ry) _friendship_ Alice and Ry share a loyal and supportive friendship, with Ry often acting as her protector. ### [Charles Fairfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/characters/charles_fairfield) _romantic_ Alice and Charles share a deep romantic bond, though it is strained by external pressures and secrets. ### [Charles Fairfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/characters/charles_fairfield) _romantic_ Alice and Charles share a deep romantic bond, though it is strained by external pressures and secrets. ### [Sergeant-Major Archdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/characters/sergeant_major_archdale) _psychological_ Archdale exerts a manipulative and obsessive influence over Alice, creating a tense and victimizing dynamic. ## In the story ### [Alice Maybell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/i-alice-maybell) The protagonist, a pretty young woman, leaves her aunt's house to return to Wyvern, hinting at hidden unhappiness. ### [II: The Vale of Carwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/ii-the-vale-of-carwell) Anxious and secretive, Alice directs the driver to Carwell Grange to see an old woman, promising secrecy and a reward. ### [III: The Grange](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/iii-the-grange) Travels to Carwell Grange, meets the mysterious veiled woman, reads a distressing letter, and returns to Wyvern. ### [IV: The Old Squire and Alice Maybell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/iv-the-old-squire-and-alice-maybell) The orphaned daughter of the late vicar, taken in by the Squire as a child and now a young woman living at Wyvern. ### [V: The Terrace Garden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/v-the-terrace-garden) Grown up pretty and lonely, she is the subject of town gossip about her supposed designs on the Squire or Wyvern. Found crying in the terrace garden, she is confused by the Squire's cryptic promises. ### [VI: The Old Squire Unlike Himself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/vi-the-old-squire-unlike-himself) Frightened and confused by the Squire's unexpected proposal, she escapes to her room. ### [The Squire's Eldest Son Comes Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/vii-the-squire-s-eldest-son-comes-home) Terrified and distressed by the Squire's proposal, she feigns a headache to avoid him and later secretly meets a mysterious man outside the house. ### [Never Did Run Smooth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/viii-never-did-run-smooth) Secretly plans to elope with Ry; feigns illness to avoid suspicion. ### [IX: In Which the Squire Loses His Gold-Headed Cane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/ix-in-which-the-squire-loses-his-gold-headed-cane) Referenced through her farewell letter to the Squire, revealing she has left Wyvern and is married to Charles. ### [X: The Drive Over Cressley Common by Moonlight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/x-the-drive-over-cressley-common-by-moonlight) Travels by chaise across Cressley Common, anxiously watching for Charles Fairfield. ### [Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xi-home) Alice is ecstatic about her new life with Charles, dreaming of a paradise where she can have him all to herself. She is naive and hopeful, but also sensitive to Charles's growing unease. ### [The Omen of Carwell Grange](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xii-the-omen-of-carwell-grange) Arrives at Carwell Grange as Charles's wife, initially cheerful but unsettled by a vision of a falling black curtain. ### [XIII: An Inspection of Carwell Grange](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xiii-an-inspection-of-carwell-grange) Arrives at Carwell Grange, feels anxious but is comforted by Charles; explores the garden and inventories household goods with youthful enthusiasm. ### [XIV: A Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xiv-a-letter) Alice is anxious and unsettled after a fright involving old Mrs. Tarnley, and she timidly navigates her husband's moods and financial constraints. ### [XV: Harry Arrives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xv-harry-arrives) Kissed by Harry on arrival; blushes when she fails to find the brandy; echoes Charles's welcome to Harry; joins in thanking Harry for his support. ### [A Party of Three](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xvi-a-party-of-three) Feels isolated and anxious after Harry's visit, suspects secrets, and longs for Charles's confidence. ### [Mildred Tarnley's Warning Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xvii-mildred-tarnley-s-warning-story) Alice, now Mrs. Fairfield, is the young mistress of Carwell Grange, eager to hear the house's history but increasingly frightened by Mildred's grim warnings. ### [XVIII: The Brothers’ Walk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xviii-the-brothers-walk) Mentioned as Charles's wife; he worries about her well-being and feels guilty for bringing her to Carwell Grange. ### [XIX: Coming In](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xix-coming-in) Waits anxiously for Charles, tries to coax him into confiding in her, and later reveals her pregnancy, hoping it will bring them closer. ### [XX: Harry Appears at the Grange](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xx-harry-appears-at-the-grange) Alice is mentioned as being in the garden, tending to her flowers, and is not present during the brothers' conversation. ### [Harry's Beer and Conversation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xxi-harry-s-beer-and-conversation) Not present in the scene, but is the central concern of the conversation; Charles and Harry discuss her happiness and the need to protect her from worry. ### [The Trout](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xxii-the-trout) Charles decides to tell Alice the truth, believing it is her right and that concealment would cause her more misery. ### [The Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xxiii-the-visitor) Alice is overjoyed but apologetic about the secrecy of her location, confides in Lady Wyndale about Charles's financial troubles and the quarrel with old Mr. Fairfield. ### [XXIV: The Summons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xxiv-the-summons) Deeply anxious and tearful, she pleads with Charles for the truth, is temporarily reassured by his lie, but remains vulnerable and isolated. ### [The Lady Has Her Tea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xxvi-the-lady-has-her-tea) Referred to as the wife of Harry Fairfield, a pretty lass and daughter of a poor parson. ### [XXVII: Through the House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xxvii-through-the-house) Mentioned as the wife of Master Harry; the lady asks about her. ### [The Bell Rings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xxviii-the-bell-rings) Awake and anxious, she rings for Mrs. Tarnley, fearing Charles may have arrived, and apologizes for disturbing the household. ### [XXXI: News from Cressley Common](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xxxi-news-from-cressley-common) Asleep in her room, unaware of the maneuvering around her. ### [An Unlooked-for Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xxxii-an-unlooked-for-return) Referred to as the mistress of the house, asleep upstairs, pregnant with Charles's child. ### [Charles Fairfield Alone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xxxiii-charles-fairfield-alone) Charles writes a letter to Alice, instructing her to pack and meet him in Lonsdale. ### [XXXIV: Awake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xxxiv-awake) Anxious and fearful, she confides in Dulcibella about her loneliness and fear of dying in childbirth like her mother. ### [Through the Wall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xxxvi-through-the-wall) Alice is terrorized by nocturnal sounds and a violent intruder, fleeing the house in a state of panic. ### [A Messenger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xxxvii-a-messenger) Alice is in a state of shock and terror after being attacked by the blind woman, clinging to Mrs. Tarnley and weeping. ### [An Abduction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xxxix-an-abduction) Comforted by Charles and told they must leave; she asks about the mysterious woman but is reassured. ### [XL: Pursuit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xl-pursuit) Mentioned as the 'poor young lady' who was attacked and is now recovering, though still unsettled and awaiting Charles's return. ### [Day—Twilight—Darkness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xli-day-twilight-darkness) Suffering from severe nervous shock after the murder attempt, unable to eat, terrified of the Dutchwoman's return, and anxiously awaiting Charles's return. ### [The Welcome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xliii-the-welcome) Anxiously awaits Charles's return and welcomes him with relief and tears. ### [The Wykeford Doctor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xliv-the-wykeford-doctor) Anxiously watches over Charles, pleads with the doctor for hope, and is overwhelmed by fear and sorrow. ### [XLV: Speech Returns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xlv-speech-returns) Devotedly nurses Charles, follows his whispered instructions, and receives the envelope of letters. ### [Harry Drinks a Glass and Spills a Glass](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xlvi-harry-drinks-a-glass-and-spills-a-glass) Reluctantly allows Harry to see Charles, urging him not to stay long. ### [Home to Wyvern](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xlvii-home-to-wyvern) Lies ill at Carwell Grange, grieving for Charles and dreading the birth of their child. ### [A Twilight Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xlviii-a-twilight-visit) Ailing and bedridden, she receives Harry's visit and signs the paper to avoid prosecuting Bertha. ### [XLIX: The Heir of the Fairfields](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/xlix-the-heir-of-the-fairfields) Alice Fairfield is gravely ill after childbirth, lying near death and unable to speak above a whisper. ### [L: Bertha Velderkaust](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/l-bertha-velderkaust) Mentioned disparagingly by Harry as 'that chit down at Carwell Grange' in contrast to Bertha. ### [A Talk with the Squire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/lii-a-talk-with-the-squire) The Squire repeatedly calls her a 'bad un' and a 'sly lass,' blaming her for eloping with Charles and for the child at Carwell Grange. ### [LV: How Fares the Child?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/lv-how-fares-the-child) Lying ill at Carwell Grange, near death, attended by Dr. Willett and Lady Wyndale; her recovery is slow and uncertain. ### [LIX: An Old Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/lix-an-old-friend) Residing at Stanlake Farm for five weeks, she is distressed by Harry's graphic account of Bertha's death and describes the young boy playing with Amy. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/conclusion) Reunited with her son Henry; returns to Wyvern to see the dying Harry; later lives at Wyvern with the family. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/characters/alice_maybell - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/characters