# Ellen Merridew — Hester character guide

> Ellen Merridew in Hester by Margaret Oliphant.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Ellen, Nelly, Merridew, Mrs. Ellen

**First appearance:** 0007-vi-neighbours-and-relations

## Who they are

A member of the Merridew family.

## In the story

### [XVIII: A Family Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xviii-a-family-party)

Complains about Catherine's guest list and spending, prefers strangers to family parties.

### [XXII: Dancing Teas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxii-dancing-teas)

Visits the Vernonry to recruit Hester as an assistant for her Thursday dancing teas; imposes a condition that Hester avoid involvement with Harry or Edward.

### [The First of Them](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxiii-the-first-of-them)

Hosts the dance with a modern, chaperon-light style, setting the scene for the evening.

### [Straightforward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxvi-straightforward)

Hosts the dance; her face of consternation at Catherine's arrival becomes a lasting family memory.

### [XXVIII: Was It Love?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxviii-was-it-love)

Referenced as one who jibes about Edward and Hester's relationship, accepting it as a matter of course.

### [XXXVI: In the Labyrinth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxxvi-in-the-labyrinth)

Hosts the Thés Dansantes where Hester hopes to meet Edward.

### [Alarms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/chapters/xxxvii-alarms)

Hosts the weekly dances that Hester and Emma attend.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters/ellen_merridew
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hester_se/characters