Who is Mansfield Markham?

Mansfield is Beryl's final husband in the novel and the father of her only child. His desire to live a life that's different from the coddled existence he experienced in England attracts him to Beryl and Africa. Because of him, Beryl is able to reunite with her father. The gulf between his mother's expectations and Beryl's behavior proves to be too much, however, and he and Beryl separate, with him and his mother taking custody of Beryl's son. Mansfield continues to care for Beryl financially and does not rush to push for a divorce.