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In Harry Revel we learn of Amelia Plinlimmon's descent from Welsh nobility, her matronship of the Geneva Foundling Hospital and her relationship to Archibald Plinlimmon, who married Isabel Brooks and died at Badajoz in 1812.
Just as she secured an apprenticeship for Harry Revel with a chimney sweep in Plymouth, so she arranges for Harry Brooks to have an education – alas at the Copenhagen Academy in Falmouth. Major James Brooks of Minden Cottage has no more interest in Harry Brooks, his only son, than John Rosewarne has of Myra and Clem, his grandchildren, in Shining Ferry, where Aunt Hannah has to step into the breach. It is Amelia Plinlimmon's response to the advert for the Copenhagen Academy in the Falmouth Packet which results in the treasure-seeking adventure on Mortallone – the law of unexpected consequences.
After the opening two chapters of Poison Island she recedes into the background, from where she acts as a sort of Greek chorus through her verses. Yet it is Amelia who effects the decision to enter upon the expedition to Mortalone, at the conclusion of Chapter XX, and who gathers the party together in Chapter XXI.
Amelia Plinlimmon then drops into the background again until she welcomes Beauregard aboard the Espriella when Branscome and Rogers are off exploring the island. She and Lydia Belcher are the ones, when at Beauregard's house, who wish to go off on a treasure hunt, mainly because Branscome can refuse Amelia little. We learn why in the final chapter. Branscome has come under her spell, as Beauregard has come under Lydia's, but with more profitable results, at least romantically. If Beauregard is seeking redemption through love only to be rejected, Branscome is finding acceptance in Amelia. Amelia Plinlimmon is not just a character but a symbol of goodness. It is more than the good heartedness of Goodfellow because she had known disappointment and rejection. It is a goodness triumphing over circumstance.
Chronology in Harry Revel
177?, May 1: Born. Lives with father. Father dies in debt. Keeps house for Arthur Plinlimmon, brother. Arthur Plinlimmon marries ? Leicester, daughter of Archibald Leicester, before 1790.
1788-9: Leaves for Genevan Foundling Hospital, Plymouth Dock.
1806, July: Fears French invasion. Harry Revel sleeps in her room. Loves Rev Scougall.
1808, September: Helps arrange apprenticeship for Harry Revel.
1809, April: Writes to Harry Revel.
May 1, Wednesday: First meeting with Harry Revel at Tucker's Bun Shop, Bedford Street, Plymouth.
1810, January: Archibald Plinlimmon transferred to Plymouth.
May 1: Second meeting with Harry Revel at Tucker's. Going grey, probably in her 40s.
Incident with bull.
Archibald forgets her birthday.
1811, May 1: Third meeting with Harry Revel at Tucker's. Archibald steals money from her purse.
1812: Looks after Major Brooks after death of Isabel Brooks/Plinlimmon at Minden Cottage.