Miss Godby

Miss Godby is a young lady in Anne Steel’s circle of acquaintance in London. She gossips with Miss Sparks about the Lucy and Edward business.

Biddy Henshawe

Biddy Henshawe is or was an aunt of Miss Grey, likely of Mrs. Jennings’ generation. Mrs. Jennings says: “I remember her aunt very well, Biddy Henshawe; she married a very wealthy man. But the family are all rich together.”

It is unclear whether Henshawe is her maiden name or married name. Likely, her first name is actually “Bridget.”

The Late Mr. Ferrars

Though Mr. Ferrars is already deceased when the novel opens, we know that he was the husband of Mrs. Ferrars and the father of Edward and Robert Ferrars and Mrs. Fanny Dashwood.

We are told that he died “very rich” and managed to leave almost the whole of his fortune to his eldest son Edward in such a way that it depended on “the will of his mother.” As Edward was educated privately but younger brother Robert went to public school, it’s entirely possible that Mr. Ferrars’ status and/or wealth increased over the course of the boys’ childhoods. As he was able to write his widow's input so wholly into his son's inheritance, it seems likely that the fortune was gathered during his lifetime and is not an ancestral estate.

Miss Sophia Grey

Age

Mrs. Jennings says she is “of age” when she gets engaged to Willoughby, which likely means at least 25.

Family and Situation

Though we learn little of Miss Grey’s family, we know that she is living with guardians named Mr. and Mrs. Ellison, suggesting that her parents may well be deceased or are otherwise out of the picture. Mrs. Jennings hears gossip that Miss Grey and Mrs. Ellison do not get along and that the Ellisons are likely happy to see her married off.

We do know that Miss Grey had an aunt whom Mrs. Jennings knew “very well” and calls “Biddy Henshawe.”

We know that Miss Grey has a dowry of £50,000, which would be very large for the time. Mrs. Jennings says that “the family are all rich together,” so there may be additionally good connections.

Connections

Miss Gray Is “particular friends” with someone who knows Mrs. Taylor. This common acquaintance has the whole story about the Willoughby engagement.

Miss Grey made the acquaintance of Mr. Willoughby prior to his sojourn in Devonshire; he even says that “I had reason to believe myself secure of my present wife, if I chose to address her, and I persuaded myself to think that nothing else in common prudence remained for me to do.”

Appearance

When seen across the room by Elinor and Marianne, the narrator describes Miss Grey as a “very fashionable looking young woman.” Mrs. Jennings later conveys that the consensus is that she is “a smart, stylish girl...but not handsome.”

Character

When Elinor asks if Miss Grey is reputed to be amiable, Mrs. Jennings says "I never heard any harm of her; indeed I hardly ever heard her mentioned,” suggesting, when coupled with her older age and enormous dowry, that she is not likely to be very outgoing or engaging.

On the other hand, Willoughby characterizes her as “jealous as the devil.” He later explains that she discovered the correspondence with Marianne by playfully reading his letters and then taking the revelation with “wretchedness,” “passion” and “malice.” He then insists that the cold letter he send to cut ties with Marianne was dictated by Sophia. Of course, we know Willoughby has warped the truth in other contexts, so this may just be an excuse for acting poorly.

Mrs. Smith evaluates her to be “a woman of character,” thus ensuring her forgiveness of Willoughby. Willoughby insists to Elinor that “She does not deserve your compassion.—She knew I had no regard for her when we married.—Well, married we were, and came down to Combe Magna to be happy, and afterwards returned to town to be gay.” The narrator does tell us that Willoughby eventually finds some measure of “domestic felicity,” so she must be able to overlook his faults and find a comfortable equilibrium.

Mr. Donovan

Mr. Donovan is either a surgeon or a physician who is called upon to check on the Palmers’ new baby when Charlotte is concerned that he may have red gum.

Presumably, the man is well connected in London society; on his call to the Palmers’ home, he tells Charlotte and Mrs. Jennings the gossip about Edward and Lucy being engaged.

Lord Courtland

Lord Courtland is a friend that Robert Ferrars mentions as having recently been trying to build a house with plans by Bonomi.

Mrs. Dashwood

Age

Fanny Dashwood calculates that she is “hardly forty.”

Family and Situation

Mrs. Dashwood is the second wife and widow of Henry Dashwood and the mother of Elinor, Marianne and Margaret Dashwood. She is also the stepmother of John Dashwood but, we know, does not get along with his wife Fanny.

Though Henry had intended to save up to provide for his wife and daughters, his own income, apart from his inheritance at Norland Park was quite limited and Norland was entailed in such a way that he could not break a part off to provide for the ladies. The narrator tells us that when Henry died “ten thousand pounds, including the late legacies, was all that remained for his widow and daughters.”

We have little information on Mrs. Dashwood’s upbringing, but we know her daughters are affected by the succession of Norland because she “had nothing” to bring into the marriage. However, the narrator does describe Mrs. Dashwood as “a woman who never saved [money] in her life.” Additionally Mrs. Dashwood says to her daughters “It is very right that you SHOULD go to town; I would have every young woman of your condition of life acquainted with the manners and amusements of London,” suggesting she likely had a London season herself. Overall, the picture painted is that she may not have been well-dowered, but seems to have been brought up in a genteel family.

We also know that Sir John Middleton is “a relation” of Mrs. Dashwood’s own, suggesting at least some gentility in the family. The narrator tells us that Mrs. Dashwood would have considered Devonshire too far to relocate before she became desperate to escape cohabitating with Fanny Dashwood, so it may well be that the Middletons were not especially close to Mrs. Dashwood’s branch of the family.

After she married Henry Dashwood, they lived together at a place called Stanhill for a number of years before Henry’s uncle encouraged them to come live at Norland Park, the place Henry would one day inherit. In settling Henry Dashwood’s estate, Fanny says “When [John’s] father and mother moved to Norland, though the furniture of Stanhill was sold, all the china, plate, and linen was saved, and is now left to [Mrs. Dashwood].”

Of Fanny and Mrs. Dashwood’s relationship we are told: “The contempt which [Mrs. Dashwood] had, very early in their acquaintance, felt for her daughter-in-law, was very much increased by the farther knowledge of her character, which half a year's residence in her family afforded; and perhaps in spite of every consideration of politeness or maternal affection on the side of the former, the two ladies might have found it impossible to have lived together so long, had not a particular circumstance occurred to give still greater eligibility, according to the opinions of Mrs. Dashwood, to her daughters' continuance at Norland./This circumstance was a growing attachment between her eldest girl and the brother of Mrs. John Dashwood.”

Appearance

At one point, Fanny Dashwood describes her as “stout and healthy.” As both Elinor and Marianne are described as attractive, it seems likely Mrs. Dashwood was as well as one time, if not now.

Character

Mrs. Dashwood is noted as being the origin of Marianne’s tremendous emotional volatility -- we are even told of Marianne that “the resemblance between her and her mother was strikingly great.” In the midst of mourning their deceased father and husband, we are told “They encouraged each other now in the violence of their affliction. The agony of grief which overpowered them at first, was voluntarily renewed, was sought for, was created again and again. They gave themselves up wholly to their sorrow, seeking increase of wretchedness in every reflection that could afford it, and resolved against ever admitting consolation in future.” We also know that, like Marianne, she can be very engaging; as she attempts to get to know shy Edward Ferrars, we are told “Her manners were attaching, and soon banished his reserve.”

This can also cause Mrs. Dashwood to be petty. When Fanny Dashwood (with John in tow) turns up to take possession of Norland Park immediately after the funeral of Henry with no advance warning, Mrs. Dashwood is very upset because “in HER mind there was a sense of honor so keen, a generosity so romantic, that any offence of the kind, by whomsoever given or received, was to her a source of immovable disgust. Mrs. John Dashwood had never been a favourite with any of her husband's family; but she had had no opportunity, till the present, of shewing them with how little attention to the comfort of other people she could act when occasion required it.”

Mrs. Dashwood also have very fixed and romantic notions about love and matchmaking. She is insistent that husband-hunting is not a hobby to which her daughters have been brought up and the narrator tells us that while some mothers might have limited Elinor and Edward’s romance out of prudence, Mrs. Dashwood didn’t “It was enough for her that he appeared to be amiable, that he loved her daughter, and that Elinor returned the partiality. It was contrary to every doctrine of hers that difference of fortune should keep any couple asunder who were attracted by resemblance of disposition; and that Elinor's merit should not be acknowledged by every one who knew her, was to her comprehension impossible.” On a later occasion, Mrs. Dashwood herself says “I have never yet known what it was to separate esteem and love.”

Fairly unique among matrons in many of Austen’s novels, Mrs. Dashwood’s character and ideas do evolve over time. Though initially she is confused by Elinor’s affection for Edward, once she gets to know him “She speedily comprehended all his merits; the persuasion of his regard for Elinor perhaps assisted her penetration; but she really felt assured of his worth: and even that quietness of manner, which militated against all her established ideas of what a young man's address ought to be, was no longer uninteresting when she knew his heart to be warm and his temper affectionate.” Mrs. Dashwood also comes to see that her instincts about Willoughby are quite wrong (though she never acknowledges as much), and comes to root for Colonel Brandon as suitor for her middle daughter.

John Willoughby

Age

We’re told that Marianne is so enthusiastic about her literary preferences with Willoughby “that any young man of five and twenty must have been insensible indeed, not to become an immediate convert to the excellence of such works, however disregarded before.” Therefore, we know he is 25 years old.

Family and Situation

We never hear mention of John Willoughby’s parents or siblings, though he seems to be financially independent, suggesting that his father, at least, is likely deceased. We do know his “cousin,” Mrs. Smith, lives at Allenham house and plans to leave him her fortune.

Willoughby has possession of Combe Magna, which, we are told, Sir John estimates at bringing in £600-700 per year, though Elinor feels “he lived at an expense to which that income could hardly be equal, and he had himself often complained of his poverty.” The house appears to be located in Somersetshire, near Cleveland House.

The consensus in Barton seems to be that Allenham, which Willoughby will one day inherit, will bring in about £2,000 per anum. As of the novel, he is invited there once each year as the guest of Mrs. Smith.

By the time the news gets out about Willoughby’s engagement to Miss Grey, everyone seems to have heard that he has considerable debt. Willoughby himself later confirms this, saying “My fortune was never large, and I had always been expensive, always in the habit of associating with people of better income than myself. Every year since my coming of age, or even before, I believe, had added to my debts; and though the death of my old cousin, Mrs. Smith, was to set me free; yet that event being uncertain, and possibly far distant, it had been for some time my intention to re-establish my circumstances by marrying a woman of fortune.”

At one point, Mrs. Palmer says that her husband will not call on Willoughby because “he is in the opposition, you know.” It is unclear from this statement whether Willoughby is actively involved in politics (which, if true, he never mentions himself) or if his opinions are simply known in the neighborhood.

Appearance

When we first meet Willoughby, he comes to Marianne’s rescue in the rain and is described as “A gentleman carrying a gun, with two pointers playing round him.” Within the same scene, we’re told his person is “uncommonly handsome.”

Marianne is instantly besotted, with the narrator telling us “His manly beauty and more than common gracefulness were instantly the theme of general admiration….His person and air were equal to what [Marianne’s] fancy had ever drawn for the hero of a favourite story; and in his carrying her into the house with so little previous formality, there was a rapidity of thought which particularly recommended the action to her. Every circumstance belonging to him was interesting. His name was good, his residence was in their favourite village, and she soon found out that of all manly dresses a shooting-jacket was the most becoming.”

Character

The general consensus in the neighborhood appears to be that Willoughby is good company; Sir John Middleton calls him “as good a kind of fellow as ever lived” and “a pleasant, good humoured fellow.” This initial impression is confirmed as he gets to know the ladies of Barton Cottage, with the narrator saying “Willoughby was a young man of good abilities, quick imagination, lively spirits, and open, affectionate manners. He was exactly formed to engage Marianne's heart, for with all this, he joined not only a captivating person, but a natural ardour of mind which was now roused and increased by the example of her own, and which recommended him to her affection beyond every thing else.”

Even after she has heard the truth, Elinor still considers Willoughby extremely charismatic, with the narrator telling us that after his version of events “She felt that his influence over her mind was heightened by circumstances which ought not in reason to have weight; by that person of uncommon attraction, that open, affectionate, and lively manner which it was no merit to possess...it was so, long, long before she could feel his influence less.”

We are led to believe that Willoughy has an active social life and somewhat wild lifestyle. Sir John mentions that “there is not a bolder rider in England.” and tells a story about a small dancing party at Barton Park last Christmas in which Willoughby “danced from eight o’clock till four, without once sitting down.” Later on, Sir John attempts to get Brandon to pursue the 10AM picnic, saying “Mr. Willoughby got up two hours before his usual time, on purpose to go to Whitwell,” suggesting that he typically rises quite late. Coupled with the quantity of debt that we know Willoughby ultimate racks up, we can guess that this traits hint at a life of some dissipation.

This trait brings with it a certain disregard for propriety. Elinor observes that, like her sister, he has “a propensity...of saying too much what he thought on every occasion, without attention to persons or circumstances” and that “In hastily forming and giving his opinion of other people, in sacrificing general politeness to the enjoyment of undivided attention where his heart was engaged, and in slighting too easily the forms of worldly propriety, he displayed a want of caution which Elinor could not approve, in spite of all that he and Marianne could say in its support.” Later on, we are told that “Marianne abhorred all concealment where no real disgrace could attend unreserve….Willoughby thought the same, and their behaviour at all times was an illustration of these opinions.”

As a result of these qualities, the romance with Marianne develops very quickly. The narrator says that they had many of the same tastes to begin with and that “if any difference appeared, any objection arose, it lasted no longer than till the force of [Marianne’s] arguments and the brightness of her eyes could be displayed.”

This joviality also has a darker side, most specifically manifest in Willoughby’s abandonment of Eliza Williams. Brandon feels that Willoughby would have carried on with Marianne whether or not he knew about the natural child because “he had already done that, which no man who CAN feel for another would do. He had left the girl whose youth and innocence he had seduced, in a situation of the utmost distress, with no creditable home, no help, no friends, ignorant of his address! He had left her, promising to return; he neither returned, nor wrote, nor relieved her…..His character is now before you; expensive, dissipated, and worse than both..”

Willoughby’s version of events softens the accusations somewhat, but still points to a central recklessness. He says “Careless of her happiness, thinking only of my own amusement, giving way to feelings which I had always been too much in the habit of indulging, I endeavoured, by every means in my power, to make myself pleasing to her, without any design of returning her affection.” However, he does go on to insist that he thought he had given Eliza his address and would never have left her pregnant and stranded if he had known.

After some consideration, Elinor believes that his character is marred by “the irreparable injury which too early an independence and its consequent habits of idleness, dissipation, and luxury, had made in the mind, the character, the happiness, of a man who, to every advantage of person and talents, united a disposition naturally open and honest, and a feeling, affectionate temper. The world had made him extravagant and vain—Extravagance and vanity had made him cold-hearted and selfish. Vanity, while seeking its own guilty triumph at the expense of another, had involved him in a real attachment, which extravagance, or at least its offspring, necessity, had required to be sacrificed. Each faulty propensity in leading him to evil, had led him likewise to punishment.”

Habits and Hobbies

Frequently, we are told that Willougby and Marianne have a common taste in art and literature, suggesting he has a strong Romantic streak. The narrator says “he read with all the sensibility and spirit which Edward had unfortunately wanted.”At one point, Elinor teases Marianne saying “You know what he thinks of Cowper and Scott; you are certain of his estimating their beauties as he ought, and you have received every assurance of his admiring Pope no more than is proper.” We also know that Willoughby names the horse he buys for Marianne Queen Mab, suggesting a likely affection for Shakespeare, though Mab was featured in other 17th century poems as well. In 1813, Percy Bysshe Shelley would publish a poem about Mab, but that would be two years after Austen wrote the novel.

The narrator tells us that “his musical talents were considerable” and that he sang together with Marianne.

From Sir John Middleton we learn that Willoughby has an appetite for sport which almost reaches his own. Sir John says he is “a very decent shot” and that he “has got the nicest little black bitch of a pointer I ever saw.” After Willoughby’s marriage, the narrator says that “in his breed of horses and dogs, and in sporting of every kind, he found no inconsiderable degree of domestic felicity.”

Eliza Williams

Eliza Williams, also known as “Little Eliza,” is the daughter of Colonel Brandon’s childhood sweetheart Eliza, though public opinion in Barton -- personified by Mrs. Jennings -- has mid-identified her as Brandon’s “natural daughter” and Mrs. Jennings goes so far as to speculate that “the Colonel will leave her all his fortune." Though Little Eliza never appears on the page, her backstory--established primarily through Brandon’s monologue--is key to the plot of the novel.

We know that Eliza was born when or just after her mother was divorced by Mr. Brandon (the Colonel's brother) for adultery, suggesting that she was conceived out of wedlock. She spent her early life shifting around with her mother, who appeared to work as a prostitute (perhaps as a more genteel kept woman) before ultimately contracting tuberculosis and landing debtors’ prison. When she was 3 years old, Colonel Brandon found both Elizas and put them into nicer accommodations. The mother died shortly thereafter and Brandon put little Eliza into school and visited as much as he could.

Five years before the novel began, when Eliza would have been 12, Mr. Brandon dies, leaving Delaford to the Colonel. Shortly after he took possession, he invited Eliza to come visit him, giving rise to the speculation that she is is natural daughter. Presumably, he would have given up his commission at this time as well, allowing them more time in each other’s company.

Brandon says “It is now three years ago (she had just reached her fourteenth year,) that I removed her from school, to place her under the care of a very respectable woman, residing in Dorsetshire, who had the charge of four or five other girls of about the same time of life; and for two years I had every reason to be pleased with her situation.”

He goes on to say “last February, almost a twelvemonth back, she suddenly disappeared. I had allowed her, (imprudently, as it has since turned out,) at her earnest desire, to go to Bath with one of her young friends, who was attending her father there for his health. I knew him to be a very good sort of man, and I thought well of his daughter—better than she deserved, for, with a most obstinate and ill-judged secrecy, she would tell nothing, would give no clue, though she certainly knew all. He, her father, a well-meaning, but not a quick-sighted man, could really, I believe, give no information; for he had been generally confined to the house, while the girls were ranging over the town and making what acquaintance they chose; and he tried to convince me, as thoroughly as he was convinced himself, of his daughter's being entirely unconcerned in the business."

Eliza goes missing for nearly half a year. In that time, she meets John Willoughby -- who may have lured her away at Bath in the first place -- and is impregnated by him before he abandons her. Colonel Brandon finds her in the autumn “near her delivery.” He goes on to explain that “as soon as she recovered from her lying-in…[he] removed her and her child into the country, and there she remains.”

Miss Walker

Miss Walker is an acquaintance of Mrs. Taylor who passes on gossip of Miss Grey after the story has broken. She may also be the “particular friend” who knows about the engagement.

Given how close at hand she is as the news about Willoughby breaks, she appears to live in London.

Thomas

Thomas is the manservant at Barton Cottage. He spent enough time in the company of Miss Lucy Steele to deem her “always a very handsome young lady,” and was pleased to greet her in her newly-married role, later telling the story to his mistress Mrs. Dashwood.

Mrs. Taylor

Mrs. Taylor is an acquaintance of Mrs. Jennings’ who knows a “particular friend” of Miss Grey. Through this connection, Mrs. Taylor has the story about Willoughby and Miss Grey being engaged.

Later on, Mrs. Jennings says that Mrs. Taylor knows a Miss Walker who said that Miss Grey didn’t get along with her guardians, suggesting that Miss Walker may have been the informant in the first case as well.

Given that she's frequently corresponding with Mrs. Jennings while the story's action is occurring in town, she appears to live in London at least some of the year.

Miss Lucy Steele

Age

Lucy is described as being “not more than two or three and twenty.”

Family and Situation

Lucy Steele is the younger sister of Miss Anne Steele. As their home base appears to be in Exeter, we can that they are likely natives of Devonshire.

We never hear mention of the girls’ parents but instead they appear to spend time with friends and relatives across the country, including their uncle Mr. Pratt, who lives in Longstaple, Devonshire and relations (who may be the Richardsons) who live in London.

Mrs. Jennings seems to think that Mr. Steele is living but that both Steele and Pratt would probably try to kick in money when Edward and Lucy are inevitably trying to survive on a curate’s salary.

Connections

Is some kind of relation to Mrs. Jennings, though she doesn’t seem to know it until running into the sisters at Exeter around the holiday season. Later, we’re told ironically that Sir John encourages the Dashwoods to come meet the Steeles at Barton because “It was painful to him even to keep a third cousin to himself.”

Has a cousin in Bartlett’s Buildings, Holborn, London with whom she stays.

Appearance

We know that Lucy has lighter hair than Fanny Dashwood’s and likely about the same color as Elinor Dashwood’s, due the women’s misinterpretation of Edward’s ring.

Views of Lucy’s beauty appear to vary widely. The narrator tells us of the Steele girls that “their appearance was by no means ungenteel or unfashionable. Their dress was very smart.” Robert Ferrars says, after first glimpse, that he found her “the merest awkward country girl, without style, or elegance, and almost without beauty.” On the other hand, Sir John Middleton describes her as “monstrous pretty.” Elinor and Marianne find her to have “considerable beauty; her features were pretty, and she had a sharp quick eye, and a smartness of air, which though it did not give actual elegance or grace, gave distinction to her person.” Thomas, the servant at Barton Cottage, says that he always considered her “handsome.”

Character

At first glance, Lucy appears well-tuned to drawing room comportment and able to better her social position. Elinor observes that of the girls, “their manners were particularly civil, and Elinor soon allowed them credit for some kind of sense, when she saw with what constant and judicious attention they were making themselves agreeable to Lady Middleton,” though the narrator also says that “Elinor was not blinded by the beauty, or the shrewd look of the youngest, to her want of real elegance and artlessness.”

As the relationship deepens, it becomes clear that Lucy still bears traits from her lower class upbringing. Speaking from Elinor’s point-of-view, the narrator says that “Lucy was naturally clever; her remarks were often just and amusing; and as a companion for half an hour Elinor frequently found her agreeable; but her powers had received no aid from education: she was ignorant and illiterate; and her deficiency of all mental improvement, her want of information in the most common particulars, could not be concealed from Miss Dashwood, in spite of her constant endeavour to appear to advantage. Elinor saw, and pitied her for, the neglect of abilities which education might have rendered so respectable; but she saw, with less tenderness of feeling, the thorough want of delicacy, of rectitude, and integrity of mind, which her attentions, her assiduities, her flatteries at the Park betrayed; and she could have no lasting satisfaction in the company of a person who joined insincerity with ignorance; whose want of instruction prevented their meeting in conversation on terms of equality, and whose conduct toward others made every shew of attention and deference towards herself perfectly valueless.”

It becomes clear over time that Lucy is very much aware of her own status and shrewd about her own advancement. When she reveals the engagement to Elinor, it is clear that she has never met any of the Ferrarses except for Edward, but she knows all their names and that Mrs. Ferrars lives in Park Street, London. Later on, Mrs. Jennings says “she knows better than any body how to make the most of every thing; I dare say, if Mrs. Ferrars would only allow him five hundred a-year, she would make as good an appearance with it as any body else would with eight.”

In temperament, Lucy also appears to be lacking. She says of herself that “I am rather of a jealous temper...by nature.” Later on, she writes a very abrupt and insensitive letter to Edward to end their engagement after she has left him for his brother.

Miss Anne "Nancy" Steele

Age

We’re told she’s “nearly thirty.”

Family and Situation

Miss Anne Steele is the elder sister of Miss Lucy Steele. As their home base appears to be in Exeter, we can that they are likely natives of Devonshire.

We never hear mention of the girls’ parents but instead they appear to spend time with friends and relatives across the country, including their uncle Mr. Pratt, who lives in Longstaple, Devonshire and relations (who may be the Richardsons) who live in London.

Mrs. Jennings seems to think that Mr. Steele is living but that both Steele and Pratt would probably try to kick in money when Edward and Lucy are inevitably trying to survive on a curate’s salary.

Connections

Is some kind of relation to Mrs. Jennings, though she doesn’t seem to know it until running into the sisters at Exeter around the holiday season. Later, we’re told ironically that Sir John encourages the Dashwoods to come meet the Steeles at Barton because “It was painful to him even to keep a third cousin to himself.”

Has a cousin in Bartlett’s Buildings, Holborn, London with whom she stays.

After Lucy’s marriage, Nancy runs back to a Mrs. Burgess in Exeter. Presumably this is who they were staying with the first time around.

There is a Dr. Davies who accompanies the Steele sisters to London. Mrs. Jennings begins to tease Anne about it but she demurs, saying: “everybody laughs at me so about the Doctor, and I cannot think why. My cousins say they are sure I have made a conquest; but for my part I declare I never think about him from one hour's end to another….The Doctor is no beau of mine."

Anne mentions Martha Sharpe, Miss Sparks and Miss Godby all as friends with whom she shares gossip while in London.

Appearance

Of the Steele sisters we are told “their appearance was by no means ungenteel or unfashionable. Their dress was very smart, their manners very civil.” However when the Dashwoods finally meet her, we’re told they find her to have “a very plain and not a sensible face, nothing to admire”.

Character

The Steele girls feel their social inferiority keenly and are eager to overcome it through admiration of their betters. When they first arrive at Barton, we are told the Steeles “were delighted with the house, and in raptures with the furniture, and they happened to be so doatingly fond of children that Lady Middleton's good opinion was engaged in their favour before they had been an hour at the Park.” Elinor later observes that “their manners were particularly civil, and Elinor soon allowed them credit for some kind of sense, when she saw with what constant and judicious attention they were making themselves agreeable to Lady Middleton,” before describing the specifics of their praise.

Anne is the less elegant of the two sisters. She uses slang such as “monstrous happy” with some frequency and often over-shares about her personal life. From Elinor’s point-of-view, we are told that “the vulgar freedom and folly of the eldest left her no recommendation,” later reinforced when the narrator describes her as “not even genteel.” Mrs. Jennings later describes Nancy as “a well-meaning creature, but no conjurer,” suggesting she’s a little dim.

Miss Sparks

Miss Sparks is a young lady in Anne Steel’s circle of acquaintance in London. She gossips with Miss Godby about the Lucy and Edward business.

Mrs. Smith

Mrs. Smith is an elderly woman (presumably a widow) who is planning leave her estate of Allenham to Willoughby upon her death. Willoughby describes himself as her “cousin,” though it is unclear if they truly share grandparents or if they are simply distant relations.

Mrs. Smith invites Willoughby to Allenham once each year and has considerable influence over his life as she has the power to withhold his inheritance.

When she learns of what Willoughby did to Eliza Williams, he says “The purity of her life, the formality of her notions, her ignorance of the world—every thing was against me. The matter itself I could not deny, and vain was every endeavour to soften it. She was previously disposed, I believe, to doubt the morality of my conduct in general, and was moreover discontented with the very little attention, the very little portion of my time that I had bestowed on her, in my present visit.” Willoughby goes on to explain that she offers forgiveness if he will marry Eliza. Though he refuses, leading to a falling out, the narrator later tells us that the character of Miss Grey ultimately wins back the favor of Mrs. Smith.

Before the Dashwood girls ever meet Willoughby, they are told by the community in Barton that Mrs. Smith is “an elderly lady of very good character, who was unfortunately too infirm to mix with the world, and never stirred from home.”

Mr. Simpson

Mr. Simpson is a man of business in Exeter, Devonshire. He has a clerk named Mr. Rose whom the Steele girls consider a beau.

Martha Sharpe

Martha Sharpe is a friend of Anne Steele’s from some years back. Anne tells us that they “had so many secrets together” a year or two ago and that Lucy spied on them all the time.

The Sandersons

The Sandersons are London friends of Mrs. Jennings’ who are scheduled to come for dinner the day that the news breaks about Willoughby’s engagement.

Sally

Sally is a maid at Barton Park with a brother in Exeter who is a post boy at the New London Inn. She is well enough acquainted with Thomas from Barton Cottage that he volunteers to pass on messages to her brother when he travels to Exeter.