Neville Landless

Born in Ceylon in 1851, Neville Landless is the twin brother of Helena Landless. Their mother died when the two were very young, and they were subsequently raised by an abusive stepfather, who had a habit of beating the girl.

Despite their upbringing, Neville never became a timid boy. He grew passionate, proud, and quick-tempered, with a fierce hatred of anyone who attempted to control or humiliate him or his sister. Much of his strength came from his twin sister, Helena, who was always beside him. The two were extraordinarily close, having had little else in the world to rely upon.

As children, they made numerous attempts to escape their stepfather's household. Helena usually devised the plans, while Neville eagerly followed her lead. They were repeatedly caught, however, and severely punished for their attempts. Neville never forgot these failures, nor did they diminish his determination to one day be free.

In one of these attempts, when the twins were about 7 years of age, they could not find the knife they planned to use to cut Helena's hair (as she pretended to be a boy in hopes of more easily getting away in these situations), and she proceeded to try to tear it out or bite it off. Even at that age, Neville saw clearly how determined his sister was—and he was no less determined to follow her.

Growing up together under such circumstances made the twins unusually perceptive of one another. They learned to communicate through the smallest glance or gesture, sometimes scarcely needing words at all. He became the more passionate and impulsive of the two, prone to acting upon his feelings before considering the consequences, while Helena was more careful.

The twins remained fiercely loyal to one another into adulthood. They had learned very early that, whatever happened, they were the only people they could truly depend upon.

Eventually, their stepfather died. Neville remarked that it was perhaps fortunate, for otherwise he might have killed the man himself. Helena, naturally, would have known that Neville had harboured such thoughts long before he ever said them aloud. Yet even between twins there may be things left unspoken. Neville might have his own secrets, just as Helena may have hers.

After their stepfather's passing, they were handed to the care of a philanthropist, who was very self-centered. They did not like him, but thankfully were soon sent to Cloisterham, in England, to the care of Reverend Septimus Crisparkle. Before meeting the man, they assumed they would not like him, as they hadn't liked anyone with their charge, so they planned to affront him until being broken away again. But, upon meeting, they did like him, and in a silence conversation decided to forgo their previous plan.

In Cloisterham, Neville was staying with Mr. Crisparkle himself, and Helena would stay in a seminary for young women named The Nun’s House, and share a room with Miss Rosa Bud, whom Neville would take romantic interest in.