Mr. Gillis

Mr. Gillis is Mary's and Jamie's father, and Barry Linton's father-in-law. He opposes Mary's relationship with Arthur Morgan because Arthur is an outlaw, while Arthur regards him as a heartless hypocrite. Once a different man in Mary's eyes, Gillis becomes consumed by drink, gambling and women. He bullies both of his children, runs up debts and pawns family possessions to cover them. His red face, grey hair and heavy build reflect the effects of his drinking.

Mary becomes alarmed by her father's erratic behaviour and asks Arthur to help her find out what he is doing. Arthur dislikes Gillis and hesitates, but agrees to accompany Mary. They meet Mr. Gillis, who subjects Mary to an angry, one-sided rebuke before walking away. Arthur and Mary follow him, and learn that he plans to sell the brooch Mary's late mother gave her.

Mary confronts her father over the brooch. Gillis is startled to see her, then reacts with anger when he notices Arthur. The brooch has been handed to Ashton, a loan shark, and Arthur retrieves it for Mary. Gillis leaves after the confrontation, abandoning the matter to Mary and Arthur.

Arthur returns the brooch to Mary. She tells him that her father has gone and rejects his offer to search for him. Having seen Gillis sell a keepsake from his wife that belonged to his daughter, Mary says she no longer cares where he has gone. Mr. Gillis does not appear again.