# Isabel — Years of Grace character guide > Isabel in Years of Grace by Margaret Ayer Barnes. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Daisy Bell, Daisy, May, Belle, Aunt Isabel, little Belle **First appearance:** 0003-i ## Snapshot Jane's cousin Isabel, sharp-tongued and quick to judge, cannot stop herself from seeing her own buried longings in the reckless romances of the next generation. ## Who they are Isabel moves through the family as its most vehement moralist, certain that affairs are always the woman's fault and that parents must intervene. Yet her certainty cracks when Jane reminds her how it felt to be young and have love spoiled by well-meaning elders — and Isabel's hot denial reveals more than she intends. Her trembling lips and refusal to worry Robin expose a woman whose rigid judgments are built over her own unspoken disappointments, making her both foil and mirror to Jane. ## Relationships ### [Jane Ward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/jane_ward) _friendship_ Isabel is Jane's close friend and confidante, sharing many personal moments and social activities. ### [Cicily](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/cicily) _friendship_ Cicily and Isabel are friends who share a social circle and often interact with Jane together. ### [Muriel Lester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/muriel_lester) _friendship_ Isabel and Muriel Lester are friends who share a bond within Jane's wider social circle. ### [Stephen Carver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/stephen_carver) _social_ Isabel and Stephen Carver are acquaintances, connected through their mutual relationship with Jane. ### [Jane Ward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/jane_ward) _friendship_ Isabel is Jane's close friend and confidante, sharing many personal moments and social activities. ### [Jane Ward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/jane_ward) _friendship_ Isabel is Jane's close friend and confidante, sharing many personal moments and social activities. ### [Muriel Lester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/muriel_lester) _friendship_ Isabel and Muriel Lester are friends who share a bond within Jane's wider social circle. ### [Cicily](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/cicily) _friendship_ Cicily and Isabel are friends who share a social circle and often interact with Jane together. ### [Cicily](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/cicily) _friendship_ Cicily and Isabel are friends who share a social circle and often interact with Jane together. ### [Stephen Carver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/stephen_carver) _social_ Isabel and Stephen Carver are acquaintances, connected through their mutual relationship with Jane. ### [Muriel Lester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/muriel_lester) _friendship_ Isabel and Muriel Lester are friends who share a bond within Jane's wider social circle. ### [Stephen Carver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/stephen_carver) _social_ Isabel and Stephen Carver are acquaintances, connected through their mutual relationship with Jane. ## In the story ### [Years of Grace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/years-of-grace) Jane's sister, who confronts Jane about Cicily's choices, highlighting family dynamics and differing perspectives on marriage. ### [Part I: André](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/part-i-andr) Jane's sister; involved in romantic entanglements and family discussions. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Jane's sister, engaged to Robin Bridges, representing conventional marriage. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Jane's older sister, nineteen, a débutante; she is still in bed during breakfast and is a source of opinions Jane absorbs. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Jane's older sister, who gossips about bridegrooms and disapproves of Jane's friendship with Agnes and her college ambitions. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Jane's sister; dresses for the party in green; rides on the tally-ho with Robin Bridges. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iii) Jane's sister, whose engagement to Robin Bridges is a key event in the chapter. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Jane's sister; argues with their mother about Jane attending the concert. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iii) Discusses going to the theatre with Robin Bridges, unaware of Jane's turmoil. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iv) Confronts Jane about Cicily's engagement. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iii) Announces her engagement to Robin Bridges in a letter to Jane, planning a September wedding. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iv) Isabel's wedding has just taken place, and Jane reflects on the event. ### [Commencement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/vi) Jane's sister; expecting a baby in July. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) The eldest sister, engaged to Robin Bridges, representing traditional expectations of love and marriage. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Isabel arrives with her baby, discusses her dress and Robin's raise, and gossips about Muriel and Bert Lancaster. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Isabel is Jane's married sister, who accompanies her to the party and makes a gossipy remark about Mr. Lancaster and Muriel. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iv) Sits under the Christmas tree with baby John Ward; exchanges glances with Robin and Mrs. Ward about Muriel's engagement. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Jane's sister, involved in her own engagement and offering commentary on Jane's relationship. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Jane's sister; comments on the wedding and Mrs. Furness's absence. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Visits Jane with her baby Jacky, cautiously supports the idea of Jane marrying Stephen. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Isabel, now a mother with a two-year-old son, hums 'Dollie Grey' and leaves with her husband Robin. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iv) Jane's sister, holding her bouquet and crying at the wedding. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Jane's sister; represents traditional expectations of marriage and domesticity. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Jane's sister, involved in discussions about engagement and social expectations. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iii) Jane's other daughter, engaged to Robin Bridges. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Discusses Bert Lancaster's seizure and Muriel's behavior, showing a modern, cynical view of marriage. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iii) Isabel is present at the Thanksgiving gathering and questions Jane about Jimmy's absence. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Confronts Jane about the lunch, repeating Muriel's gossip and urging Jane to stop such behavior. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iii) Confronts Jane about her friendship with Jimmy, causing Jane anger and frustration. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/v) Confronts Jane about Cicily's situation. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Jane's sister; engaged to Robin Bridges. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Works bandage roller at Red Cross, worries about her son Jack going to war, and discusses Crisco and sugar substitutes. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as the mother of Belle, who is being consulted about the double wedding. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iii) Mother of Jack, wants Cicily to marry Jack but opposes Belle marrying Albert, emotional and tearful throughout. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iv) Enters the library with Mrs. Ward, expressing weariness over handling Belle and Cicily, and seeking support from Jane. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/v) Mother of a bride, pleased with the compliments and chooses a tea-set. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/vi) Stands beside Jane, sobs during the ceremony, and is emotional about the marriages. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Another daughter, involved in family dynamics and interactions. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Visits Jane to discuss Mrs. Lester's death; opposes Belle wearing mourning; criticizes Muriel's interference and the government's handling of soldiers after the armistice. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Isabel is present at the Ward home, worried about her father's illness and Minnie's attitude. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iii) Sits with her mother, supports her during the vigil, and later helps lead the family from the room after Mr. Ward's death. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iv) Referred to as Belle, Cicily's sister, who is also pregnant and envied by Cicily. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/vi) Argues passionately for Jack to pursue engineering, but ultimately concedes to Cicily's plans. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iii) Confronts Jane about Cicily, representing a contrasting view on marriage and duty. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Jane's sister, visits for tea, reveals Muriel's past romantic entanglements, and debates with Cicily about morality. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iii) Converses with Jane about Muriel's wedding and Albert's behavior. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Jane is going to take tea with Isabel at her mother's. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Isabel is distressed and confides in Jane about Cicily's relationship with Albert, feeling helpless and hurt for Belle. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iii) Sits nearby on the balcony with Stephen; Jane wonders if Isabel is worried about Cicily and Albert. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iv) Arrives distraught, having witnessed Belle's emotional breakdown and their mother's religious condemnation; urges Jane to stop Cicily. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/v) Present during the confrontation; drinks cocktails and eats sandwiches; urges Jack to stay with Cicily. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/vi) Engaged to Robin Bridges, navigating familial expectations. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/v) Mentioned by Flora; Jane expresses relief that Isabel is not present. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/vii) Writes a long letter to Jane about Belle's engagement, their mother's health, and her feelings about modern divorce. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/isabel - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters