# Milly Ruthyn — Uncle Silas character guide > Milly Ruthyn in Uncle Silas by J. Sheridan Le Fanu. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Milicent, Milly, Poor Milly, poor Milly, wicked Milly, Miss Milly, So Milly, Miss Ruthyn, odious Milly, XV Milly, Miss Millicent, Cousin Milly, Millicent, Meess Millicent, Poor Milly's **First appearance:** 0042-volume-ii-v-in-which-i-make-another-cousin-s-acquaintance ## Snapshot Uncle Silas's warm-hearted, unpolished daughter, whose desperate affection for Maud makes Bartram-Haugh bearable and its silences crueler. ## Who they are Milly is Maud's cousin and only companion at the gloomy Bartram-Haugh estate, a girl whose loud laugh and blunt talk constantly collide with her father's nerve-wracked fastidiousness. Starved for kindness and terrified of being sent away, she clings to Maud with a gratitude so fierce it turns to tears and self-reproach over the smallest quarrel. Her raw, unguarded loyalty gives the novel its warmest counterweight to Silas's cold household, and her fear of her father quietly teaches Maud what fear in that house really means. ## Relationships ### [Maud Ruthyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/characters/maud_ruthyn) _family_ Maud forms a close, affectionate cousinly bond with the innocent and lively Milly, finding a rare source of joy at Bartram-Haugh. ### [Uncle Silas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/characters/uncle_silas) _family_ Milly is Uncle Silas's daughter, but she is neglected and kept in ignorance by her father, who shows her little genuine care. ### [Dudley Ruthyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/characters/dudley_ruthyn) _family_ Dudley is Milly's brother, but he treats her with contempt and cruelty, showing no familial affection. ### [Doctor Bryerly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/characters/doctor_bryerly) _social_ Doctor Bryerly interacts with Milly as a concerned outsider, recognizing her innocence and vulnerability within the toxic Ruthyn household. ### [Madame de la Rougierre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/characters/madame_de_la_rougierre) _psychological_ Madame de la Rougierre manipulates and frightens the simple-minded Milly, using her as a pawn in her schemes against Maud. ### [Maud Ruthyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/characters/maud_ruthyn) _family_ Maud forms a close, affectionate cousinly bond with the innocent and lively Milly, finding a rare source of joy at Bartram-Haugh. ### [Madame de la Rougierre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/characters/madame_de_la_rougierre) _psychological_ Madame de la Rougierre manipulates and frightens the simple-minded Milly, using her as a pawn in her schemes against Maud. ### [Dudley Ruthyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/characters/dudley_ruthyn) _family_ Dudley is Milly's brother, but he treats her with contempt and cruelty, showing no familial affection. ### [Doctor Bryerly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/characters/doctor_bryerly) _social_ Doctor Bryerly interacts with Milly as a concerned outsider, recognizing her innocence and vulnerability within the toxic Ruthyn household. ### [Uncle Silas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/characters/uncle_silas) _family_ Milly is Uncle Silas's daughter, but she is neglected and kept in ignorance by her father, who shows her little genuine care. ### [Doctor Bryerly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/characters/doctor_bryerly) _social_ Doctor Bryerly interacts with Milly as a concerned outsider, recognizing her innocence and vulnerability within the toxic Ruthyn household. ### [Uncle Silas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/characters/uncle_silas) _family_ Milly is Uncle Silas's daughter, but she is neglected and kept in ignorance by her father, who shows her little genuine care. ## In the story ### [XXXI: Bartram-Haugh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-xxxi-bartram-haugh) Milly, Maud's cousin, is introduced as a tall, black-haired, black-eyed girl with a rustic manner and short petticoats. She assists Maud and makes personal comparisons. ### [XXXII: Uncle Silas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-xxxii-uncle-silas) Silas's daughter; portrayed as rustic, uneducated, and afraid of her father; falls asleep during the visit and fears his reprimands. ### [The Windmill Wood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-xxxiii-the-windmill-wood) Maud's cousin; rough, uneducated but talented. Leads the ramble, confronts Beauty at the gate, and is eager to see Maud sketch. ### [XXXIV: Zamiel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-xxxiv-zamiel) Milly fetches Maud's pencils and returns to defend her against Dickon Hawkes, calling him 'Pegtop' and threatening him. ### [XXXV: We Visit a Room in the Second Storey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-xxxv-we-visit-a-room-in-the-second-storey) Shows Maud the room, becomes upset about her lack of social graces, and agrees to Maud's teaching plan. ### [I: An Arrival at Dead of Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-ii-i-an-arrival-at-dead-of-night) Cousin to Maud; gives Maud a nickname and later a ring; reconciles after a quarrel; shows fear and concern over the mysterious chaise. ### [Doctor Bryerly Emerges](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-ii-ii-doctor-bryerly-emerges) Milly is upset after being scolded by Uncle Silas for mentioning the chaise and Cormoran; she accompanies Maud on walks. ### [III: A Midnight Departure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-ii-iii-a-midnight-departure) Milly is present during Lady Knollys' visit and is warmly greeted. ### [Cousin Monica and Uncle Silas Meet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-ii-iv-cousin-monica-and-uncle-silas-meet) Present during the visit; shows her rustic innocence and is embarrassed about her wardrobe when invited to Elverston. ### [V: In Which I Make Another Cousin's Acquaintance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-ii-v-in-which-i-make-another-cousin-s-acquaintance) Milly confides in Maud about her dislike for Dudley, saying he gets money from their father while she gets none, and shares gossip about his activities. ### [VI: My Cousin Dudley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-ii-vi-my-cousin-dudley) Milly is obedient to her brother and laughs at his irreverent jokes, but she is also afraid of her father's anger. ### [Elverston and Its People](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-ii-vii-elverston-and-its-people) Accompanies Maud to Elverston; receives a makeover from Lady Knollys; observes Lady Mary and Mr. Carysbroke's intimacy. ### [News at Bartram Gate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-ii-viii-news-at-bartram-gate) Maud's cousin; helps uncover the secret and is involved in a flirtation with the curate. ### [A Friend Arises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-ii-ix-a-friend-arises) Affectionate daughter of Uncle Silas; accompanies Maud to visit Meg Hawkes. ### [X: A Chapter-Full of Lovers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-ii-x-a-chapter-full-of-lovers) Milly is sent home by Dudley as a trick, later teases Maud about Lord Ilbury's attentions, and shows her reformed but still playful nature. ### [The Rivals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-ii-xi-the-rivals) Brings Maud the note, comments on it, and tries to mediate during the fight. ### [Doctor Bryerly Reappears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-ii-xii-doctor-bryerly-reappears) Observes Bryerly's arrival and helps Maud learn about the situation. ### [XIII: Question and Answer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-ii-xiii-question-and-answer) Milly shares in the disappointment when the invitation to the Grange is refused, and she and Maud console each other. ### [XIV: An Apparition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-ii-xiv-an-apparition) Milly supports Maud, sleeps by her side during the night of terror, and later attends to her father Silas. ### [XV: Milly’s Farewell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-ii-xv-milly-s-farewell) Milly is heartbroken to be sent away to a French school and bids a tearful farewell to Maud. ### [XVII: The Picture of a Wolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-ii-xvii-the-picture-of-a-wolf) Mentioned as being sent to France with Maud. ### [An Odd Proposal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-ii-xviii-an-odd-proposal) Milly writes a letter from the convent, expressing her happiness and longing to see Maud. ### [The Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxv-the-journey) Mentioned by Maud as being happy at Bartram-Haugh; not present in the chapter. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-ii-conclusion) Now happily married to the clergyman Sprigge Biddlepen. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/characters/milly_ruthyn - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/characters