Character Relationship Map: Devotion

Characters

• Shirley Mortimer (played by Ann Harding) — protagonist

  One of three adult daughters in the Mortimer family, Shirley is treated as plain, boring, and little more than a servant at home. She disguises herself as the middle-aged Mrs. Halifax to become govern...

• David Trent (played by Leslie Howard) — supporting

  A barrister defending Norman Harrington against a murder charge, David hires Shirley, disguised as Mrs. Halifax, as governess to his son Derek. He falls in love with her, but their romance is interrup...

• Norman Harrington (played by Robert Williams) — supporting

  A painter accused of murdering his wife, Norman is defended in court by David Trent and is acquitted. He notices a curl beneath Shirley's Mrs. Halifax disguise, sketches her likeness, and promises to...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Norman Harrington → David Trent (Professional Legal Client) — Norman depends on David for his criminal defense.

  David is exhausting himself while defending Norman on the charge of murdering his wife, and Norman is eventually acquitted.

• Shirley Mortimer → Norman Harrington (Professional Artist Model) — Norman employs Shirley as the subject of his painting.

  After the dinner misunderstanding, Shirley becomes a highly paid model for Norman, who paints her in a beautiful period gown.

• Shirley Mortimer → David Trent (Romantic Love Interest) — Their mutual attraction drives the central romantic plot.

  Shirley is instantly smitten when David visits her family home. Later, David tells Shirley that he has fallen deeply in love with her, and the film en...

Story Analysis

A neglected woman adopts a false identity to approach the man she loves, but concealed marriages and competing proposals test whether their romance can survive.

Plot Progression

1. A Disguise for Love — Shirley is undervalued by her wealthy family but becomes captivated by David. She disguises herself as Mrs. Halifax to enter his household as a governess.
2. Secrets in the Flat — Shirley gains the child's affection while supporting David during Norman's murder trial. The child's revelation about his mother deepens the uncertainty surrounding David's marriage.
3. The Mask Is Seen — Norman recognizes Shirley beneath her wig and turns her secret into a private bond. His sketch exposes her identity to David and leads toward a more open encounter.
4. Love Interrupted — Shirley and David grow openly intimate during dinner and dancing. Their romance collapses when David's estranged wife unexpectedly appears and Shirley leaves in distress.
5. The Lawyer's Answer — Shirley turns to Norman's studio but rejects his proposed arrangement. At the Mortimer home, David explains the long absence of his wife and reconnects with Shirley.