# Mrs. Meyrick — Daniel Deronda character guide

> Mrs. Meyrick in Daniel Deronda by George Eliot.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mrs. Meyrick, Mrs.  Meyrick

**First appearance:** 0017-xii

## Snapshot

A lively half-French, half-Scottish widow whose tiny parlor becomes a sanctuary, taking in the destitute Mirah and treating her as a daughter.

## Who they are

Mrs. Meyrick presides over a compact, affectionate household of four women and a Persian cat, reading Erckmann-Chatrian aloud and keeping her daughters' minds brightly visible. Her quick, articulate sympathy makes her the natural refuge for Mirah Lapidoth, whom she shelters without hesitation. In a novel full of calculating guardians and absent parents, she embodies the quiet, practical goodness that lets the story's displaced characters breathe.

## In the story

### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xvii)

Mentioned as the lady with daughters to whom Deronda plans to take Mirah for safety.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xviii)

The mother of the Meyrick household; she welcomes Mirah with kindness and prepares her daughters to help.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xix)

Deronda plans to visit Mrs. Meyrick to gather hints from Mirah's own lips.

### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xx)

Mrs. Meyrick agrees to care for Mirah and promises to write to Deronda while he is abroad.

### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xxxii)

Writes to Deronda about Mirah's well-being; describes the family's fondness for Mirah.

### [Chapter XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xxxvii)

Relieved by Hans's return, observes Mirah's laughter, and poses as Gessius Florus for Hans's painting.

### [Chapter XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xxxix)

Hosts Klesmer's visit; deliberates with Hans about Mirah's dress for the performance.

### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xlvi)

Helps find lodging and expresses mixed feelings about Mordecai's enthusiasm.

### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/xlvii)

Tells the Meyrick family about Mordecai and brings Mirah to meet him; witnesses the reunion with emotion.

### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lii)

Mrs. Meyrick observes Mirah's distress and engages in conversation about Gwendolen, prompting Mirah's comparison.

### [LXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/chapters/lxx)

Attends the wedding with her three daughters, reconciled to meeting the Jewish pawnbroker.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters/mrs_meyrick
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/daniel_deronda_se/characters