Barbara Goring is the niece of Lady Walpole-Wilson. She is introduced to Jenkins by her cousin, Eleanor, and she is described by her aunt as "noisy." When they first meet, Barbara takes control of the situation and asks Jenkins if he is going to ask her to dance. Though, he admits to enjoying her outspokeness, Barbara later pours sugar on Widmerpool's head at a dance, something that completely changes his opinion about her.
A Dance to the Music of Time: A Question of Upbringing. a Buyer's Market