Mildred Tarnley

Sergeant-Major Archdale

Mildred is entangled with Archdale in a manipulative or coercive relationship, likely involving blackmail or control.

Tom Tarnley

Mildred and Tom are siblings, bound by shared hardship and a fraught family loyalty.

Charles Fairfield

Charles and Mildred are acquaintances from different social spheres, with occasional interactions through estate matters.

Alice Maybell

Alice and Mildred have a strained acquaintance, with Mildred's secrets creating distance and suspicion.

Tom Tarnley

Mildred and Tom are siblings, bound by shared hardship and a fraught family loyalty.

Sergeant-Major Archdale

Mildred is entangled with Archdale in a manipulative or coercive relationship, likely involving blackmail or control.

Charles Fairfield

Charles and Mildred are acquaintances from different social spheres, with occasional interactions through estate matters.

Sergeant-Major Archdale

Mildred is entangled with Archdale in a manipulative or coercive relationship, likely involving blackmail or control.

Alice Maybell

Alice and Mildred have a strained acquaintance, with Mildred's secrets creating distance and suspicion.

Alice Maybell

Alice and Mildred have a strained acquaintance, with Mildred's secrets creating distance and suspicion.

Tom Tarnley

Mildred and Tom are siblings, bound by shared hardship and a fraught family loyalty.

Charles Fairfield

Charles and Mildred are acquaintances from different social spheres, with occasional interactions through estate matters.

III: The Grange

Caretaker of Carwell Grange, admits Alice after verifying the miniature, shows her the letter.

The Omen of Carwell Grange

The old, grim servant at the Grange who greets the couple and later denies seeing the omen Alice witnesses.

XIII: An Inspection of Carwell Grange

Shows Alice to her room, prepares an inventory of goods, and takes offense at the couple's laughter, responding with bitter remarks.

XIV: A Letter

Old Mrs. Tarnley is mentioned as having frightened Alice the previous night.

Mildred Tarnley's Warning Story

Mildred Tarnley, an old servant with a stern and ominous demeanor, reluctantly shares the tragic story of the Fairfield women and delivers a stark warning to Alice.

XIX: Coming In

Referenced by Alice as someone from whom she hopes to learn household management.

XX: Harry Appears at the Grange

Charles asks old Mildred to prepare food for Harry, referring to her as 'like a good old soul.'

The Visitor

Mildred opens the door to Lady Wyndale and initially says 'not at home' before being persuaded to announce the visitor.

XXIV: The Summons

Sour and secretive, she is caught trying to pick the lock of Alice's dressing-table drawer to find Charles's address.

Lilly Dogger Is Sent to Bed

The harsh and capricious housekeeper who scolds Lilly, then secretly prepares for a mysterious late-night visitor, barricading Lilly's door and speaking with an unseen companion.

The Lady Has Her Tea

Hosts the mysterious lady, provides information about the Fairfields, and expresses her preference for Charles over Harry.

XXVII: Through the House

Old servant who assists the mysterious lady, leads her through the house, and prepares food.

The Bell Rings

Roused from bed by Alice's bell, she lies to soothe Alice, prepares supper for the Vrau, and wrestles with her conscience and fear of the mysterious woman.

Tom Is Ordered Up

Mrs. Tarnley wakes Tom and gives him urgent instructions to meet Charles Fairfield; she then visits the mysterious woman, engaging in tense conversation.

The Old Soldier Grows More Friendly, and Frightens Mrs. Tarnley

Old servant at Carwell Grange, wary and resistant to the Dutchwoman's overtures, refuses brandy and promises, but is frightened by the visitor's intensity.

XXXI: News from Cressley Common

Anxious and overworked, she orchestrates the concealment of Charles Fairfield's visit and fears the blind woman's interference.

An Unlooked-for Return

Confronts Charles about his duties, advises him to leave before dawn, and lies to the mysterious woman to protect Alice.

Charles Fairfield Alone

Old Mildred provides Charles with a candle and informs him that the mysterious woman believes Harry is the married one.

XXXIV: Awake

Suspicious and fearful of the mysterious woman, she locks her in her room to prevent her from wandering.

Restless

Restless and anxious, repeatedly checks on the Dutchwoman, eventually locks her in.

Through the Wall

Mildred Tarnley comforts and escorts Alice out of the house into the woods, showing unexpected tenderness.

A Messenger

Old Mildred takes charge of the situation, comforting Alice while plotting to have the blind woman arrested and sent away.

Unreasonable Bertha

Attends to Bertha during her fit; expresses a wish that Bertha be placed in a madhouse.

An Abduction

Observes the commotion and is questioned by Squire Rodney about the arrest.

XL: Pursuit

Prudently keeps her counsel and retreats to the kitchen, then engages in a tense conversation with Tom about the arrest and Charles's pursuit.

Day—Twilight—Darkness

Visits Alice to advise her, shows a hard exterior but some pity, and later becomes uneasy herself, barring doors and sending Tom to find Charles.

The Welcome

Secures the door and offers Charles sherry upon his arrival.

A Twilight Visit

Chats with Tom and Harry, expresses disbelief about Charles's secret marriage, and is given a shilling by Harry.

XLIX: The Heir of the Fairfields

Mildred Tarnley writes to Harry announcing the birth and later converses with him about the family's secrets.

L: Bertha Velderkaust

Quoted by Bertha as having said the proverb 'ifs and ans were pots and pans'; Bertha calls her a 'd—d old witch'.

Harry Fairfield Grows Uneasy

Complains about the strain of caring for the household and criticizes the lack of financial support from the family.

A Drive to Twyford

Reluctantly accompanies the baby to Twyford, resenting the journey and Harry's silence.

LV: How Fares the Child?

Nervous and foreboding, she fears Alice's death and is shocked by Harry's suspicion about the child; agrees to go to Twyford with him.

Conclusion

Very old and made comfortable at Carwell Grange.