dartle

Indulgent mother Mrs. Steerforth takes on some of the qualities belonging to her companion in the book, Rosa Dartle, including her scarred lip from when James Steerforth threw a hammer at her when he was young.

In connection with this house we may recall the characters of Rosa Dartle and the respectable serving-man Littimer.

“Miss Dartle,” said I, “if you can be so obdurate as not to feel for this afflicted mother——” “Who feels for me?” she sharply retorted.

When Steerforth, after running away with Emily and deserting her, was drowned and brought home, Rosa Dartle, who had loved him, charged his mother with his ruin.

“Miss Dartle,” I entreated her, “for Heaven’s sake——” “I will speak,” she said, turning on me with her lightning eyes.