Lady Denham In Jane Austen's A Rose For Emily

Poor Mr. Hollis. Mr. Hollis, was a man that was of considerable property, but Lady Denham treated as if he had no more importance than a fly. Charlotte felt more indignation towards Lady Denham for forgetting her duty to the memory of her first husband. This was but a poor way to keep up Mr. Hollis’ memory at the Sanditon house. A picture of Sir Henry Denham displayed over the fireplace above all, in the sitting room, as if it is his parish upon where they waited for the great lady of Sanditon, Lady Denham. Mrs. Parker and Charlotte had not been left alone long in the sitting room when Lady Denham came to them with her heir of importance trailing before her. Her Ladyship gave a shrewd glance at Charlotte before addressing both women. “My dears, Mrs. Parker and Miss Charlotte, what a proper time for a visit. Good fortunes are upon us in
Sanditon!” Her Ladyship took a turn about the room then with a firm hand guided Charlotte to sit with her. “Yes, my dear sit here, as we wait for Sir Edward. Such good fortune we have in Sanditon! Now, if only Sanditon could increase the visitants we may have a good season.” The conversation had turned to Sanditon and the chance of having a good season. Lady Denham clearly valued her money and her business deal with Mr. Parker enough to continue this familiar discussion. She could not hide her anxiety from Mrs. Parker who took note of everything done and said by the great lady. Charlotte was not occupied by such conversation until Lady Denham spoke of Miss Lambe. The visions of Clara and Edward returned to her thoughts. Her Ladyship would be most displeased if she knew Miss Brereton had been quite comfortable with Edward as of late. “To have such an heiress as Miss Lambe.
As you know Edward, being the heir to my dear second husband Sir Henry, he must marry money. I am sure Miss Lambe will find him very well” her Ladyship said as she turned to her. Charlotte was reprieved from the sake of saying something when Mrs. Parker chimed in, “Lady Denham, this is a fine thing! A young man like Sir Edward will be found very well by Miss Lambe I have no doubt.” Her ladyship cried, “Oh yes, my dear a very fine thing. A marriage to a west Indy family that will bring money. Sir Edward must spend an outing or an evening with our visitors so Miss Lambe can see the respectable man that is the Denham heir.” “An outing is quite nice, but maybe a ball in Sanditon seems appropriate to introduce Sanditon to its newcomers,” offered Mrs. Parker. Charlotte had never considered a ball in this small town. In what place would they hold what was likely to be an extravagant ball? And who would she most like to dance with? Sir Edward may be a fine dancer however, Mr. Sidney Parker being both witty and fashionable might turn out to be quite the
dancer.