Lady Audley's Secret: who's who, timeline and places

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Lady AudleyFormerly Lucy Graham, she becomes Sir Michael Audley’s second wife, seeking escape from poverty.First seen in chapter 1
Sir Michael AudleyAlicia’s father, he falls in love with Lucy Graham and makes her his second wife.First seen in chapter 1
AliciaSir Michael’s daughter resents losing her authority at home to his young second wife.First seen in chapter 1
Mr. DawsonHe employs Lucy Graham as a governess before her marriage to Sir Michael Audley.First seen in chapter 1
George TalboysA husband returning to England with a fortune, he hopes to rejoin his wife and child.First seen in chapter 2
Phoebe MarksShe shows her cousin and sweetheart Luke around Lady Audley’s rooms and takes concealed baby keepsakes.First seen in chapter 3
Luke MarksPhoebe’s cousin and sweetheart, he accompanies her through Lady Audley’s rooms while their mistress is away.First seen in chapter 3
Robert AudleyAn idle but generous barrister, he helps his old friend George Talboys seek news of his wife.First seen in chapter 4
Helen TalboysGeorge Talboys’s wife is the woman whose letter he hopes to find at a coffeehouse.First seen in chapter 4
Mr. MaldonGeorge and Robert trace him to a cottage at Ventnor where George recognizes familiar belongings.First seen in chapter 5
Mrs. VincentAn urgent message about her prompts Lady Audley and Sir Michael to leave.First seen in chapter 7
Harcourt TalboysHe has refused to help, and Robert plans to visit him after Southampton.First seen in chapter 20
Clara TalboysShe sits nearby while Harcourt Talboys dismisses Robert’s evidence about George’s disappearance.First seen in chapter 22
Dr. Alwyn MosgraveA doctor consulted by Robert, he questions whether Lady Audley’s confession proves insanity.First seen in chapter 36

Chapter 1
Lucy Graham marries Sir Michael Audley while privately keeping a concealed ring connected with her earlier identity.
Chapter 2
George Talboys sails toward England with a fortune, eager to see the wife he secretly left.
Chapter 3
Phoebe takes baby keepsakes from a concealed drawer in Lady Audley’s rooms and promises Luke a pub.
Chapter 5
George and Robert investigate Helen’s reported death at Ventnor, where a grave and other evidence convince George.
Chapter 8
Robert and George enter Lady Audley’s locked rooms through a secret passage, and George silently studies her portrait.
Chapter 10
Robert discovers George is missing and searches the inn, Audley Court, and the railway station.
Chapter 12
Mr. Maldon claims George has left for Australia, but a partly burned telegram deepens Robert’s doubts.
Chapter 14
Phoebe admits fearing Luke and tells Lady Audley that she has shared her mistress’s secret with him.
Chapter 15
Robert’s remarks about circumstantial evidence make Lady Audley faint and strengthen his doubts about George’s supposed journey.
Chapter 19
Robert discovers an unauthorized visit to his rooms and finds Helen Talboys’s letters missing from George’s trunk.
Chapter 21
Robert challenges Maldon’s account, removes Georgey from his care, and arranges schooling with restricted visits.
Chapter 23
Clara follows Robert and demands justice for her missing brother, persuading him to continue investigating.
Chapter 26
Mrs. Vincent denies sending the illness telegram, and a concealed address on Lucy’s abandoned box strengthens Robert’s suspicions.
Chapter 27
Letters documenting Helen’s sudden departure closely match the timing of Lucy Graham’s arrival at school.
Chapter 29
Robert confronts Lady Audley with evidence linking her to Helen Talboys, and she threatens his life.
Chapter 30
Lady Audley persuades Sir Michael that Robert’s suspicions arise from mental disturbance.
Chapter 32
Lady Audley locks Robert’s bedroom at the inn and leaves a candle near decorations before a fire breaks out.
Chapter 34
Lady Audley admits killing George and tells Sir Michael about her first marriage and false death report.
Chapter 35
Sir Michael leaves Audley Court with Alicia, while Robert takes responsibility for Lady Audley’s care.
Chapter 36
Dr. Mosgrave examines Lady Audley, calls her dangerous, and provides an introduction to a Belgian clinic.
Chapter 37
At the Villebrumeuse asylum, Lady Audley tells Robert how she caused George to fall into the old well.
Chapter 39
Luke reveals that he helped the injured George escape and gives Robert letters proving George’s survival.
Chapter 40
Robert proposes to Clara, and George returns before their planned journey to find him begins.
Chapter 41
Robert enjoys family life with Clara and George, while a letter reports Madame Taylor’s death abroad.
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