Miss Mary Earlwood is the close friend and confidant of the protagonist. She resides at Dunnistone Manor with her mother, her father and her sisters Harriet and Lettice.
Miss Earlwood has a friendly but frank demeanour. She has a sensible and practical outlook on life. Like most gentleman's daughters of her day, she desires to wed a suitable husband in order to gain security. Affection in this union, whilst preferable, it is not necessary.