Minor Characters
Wellington Bry
Although Mr. Bry plays a less prominent social role than Mrs. Bry, members of high society such as Carry Fisher and the Duchess of Beltshire consider him funnier and more agreeable than his wife.
Ned Silverton
A young, naïve man who enjoys writing poetry and is addicted to gambling, Ned Silverton falls in love with Carry Fisher and Bertha Dorset, although he fails to understand how calculating these high-society women can be.
Nettie Struther
A woman whom Lily Bart once helped through Gerty Farish’s charity, Nettie Struther impresses Lily with her strength and determination. Having overcome illness and poverty, Nettie now lives a happy live with her family, which proves to Lily that low means and moral worth are far from incompatible.
Lord Hubert Dacey
A gentleman who takes part in the festivities at Monte Carlo, Lord Hubert Dacey seems genuinely interested in Lily Bart’s personality and well-being, as he comments to Lawrence Selden that the Duchess of Beltshire has a bad influence on the young woman.
Gwen Van Osburgh / Mrs. Stepney
Jack Stepney’s wife is a rich but boring member of the wealthy Van Osburgh family. Although she is not described at length, she is characterized by indifference and lack of compassion, as Lily fears that Gwen might refuse to take her in when Bertha kicks Lily off the Sabrina.
Evie Van Osburgh
Leading an equally monotone and wealthy life as Percy Gryce, Evie Van Osburgh ultimately becomes engaged to him. This angers Lily Bart, who feels that she should have been the one to marry Gryce.
Lady Cressida Raith
The Duchess of Beltshire’s sister is a rich, religiously conservative woman whom Judy Trenor fears might ruin her party at Bellomont.
Paul Morpeth
An artist who forms part of Sam and Mattie Gormer’s circle, he admires Lily Bart’s beauty and wants to paint her portrait. He is responsible for designing the tableaux vivants at Wellington and Louisa Bry’s party.
Mr. Dabham
A journalist at Monte Carlo, Mr. Dabham proves ruthless in his desire to spread rumors about the upper class’s relationships. In particular, he spreads the rumor that Lily Bart and George Dorset returned alone from Nice, which gives credibility to Bertha Dorset’s later lies about Lily’s relationship with George.
Freddy Van Osburgh
An innocent, young boy who recently graduated from college, Freddy Van Osburg seems in love with Norma Hatch, and unaware of the scandalous nature of his relationship with her. To keep Freddy from marrying the rich divorcée, members of high society send him away to Europe.
Melville Stancy
Norma Hatch’s lawyer, intent on scheming to make Norma marry Freddy Van Osburgh.
Miss Jane Silverton
Ned Silverton’s sister, who asks Gerty Farish for financial help after Ned ruins the family because of his gambling addiction.
Sam Gormer
Mattie Gormer’s husband.
Mme. Regina
The milliner for whom Lily Bart works. Mme. Regina is initially reluctant to hire Lily, who lacks crucial hat-making skills, but accepts to do so at Carry Fisher’s insistence. However, she later fires Lily because of the young woman’s frequent absences and incompetence.
Miss Haines
Lily Bart’s supervisor at Mme. Regina’s. She demonstrates resentment and cruelty toward Lily by mocking her for not being skilled at making hats.
Miss Kilroy
Lily Bart’s coworker at the milliner’s. She proves kind and compassionate to her, insisting that Miss Haines behaved in a cruel way toward her.