# Mrs. Fane — Sinister Street character guide > Mrs. Fane in Sinister Street by Compton Mackenzie. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Dear Mrs. Fane **First appearance:** 0002-sinister-street ## Snapshot Michael's mother, once a figure of romantic mystery, now transformed by Chelsea society into a fussy, practical woman whose new sociability puzzles her son. ## Who they are Mrs. Fane presides over the Cheyne Walk drawing-room where Michael returns from his secret fortnight, greeting him with affection but never asking the direct question that would unlock his confidence. Her daughter Stella theorizes that a life of dependence on one man has given way to an exaggerated need for women's company, making her vague in a new way. Her change marks the quiet, ruthless rounding-off of a period in Michael's life. ## Relationships ### [Michael Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/characters/michael_fane) _family_ Michael's mother is a distant, aristocratic figure who provides material support but little emotional warmth, creating a formal bond. ### [Michael Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/characters/michael_fane) _family_ Michael's mother is a distant, aristocratic figure who provides material support but little emotional warmth, creating a formal bond. ### [Michael Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/characters/michael_fane) _family_ Michael's mother is a distant, aristocratic figure who provides material support but little emotional warmth, creating a formal bond. ## In the story ### [I: The New World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/i-the-new-world) Tells Michael a fairy tale about a prince, shows him a photograph of a man, and spends time with him at the seaside. ### [II: Bittersweet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/ii-bittersweet) Michael's mother, who is absent but sends a letter from Como announcing kindergarten and canaries. ### [The First Fairy Princess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/v-the-first-fairy-princess) Michael's mother, briefly present for Miss Carthew's introduction; provides warmth but is often absent. ### [VIII: Siamese Stamps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/viii-siamese-stamps) Returns home after nearly two years; feels shy of Michael and disapproves of his grubby, inky appearance. ### [Pastoral](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/iii-pastoral) Returns home cross and worried, arranges for Michael to board, shuts up the house in Carlington Road. ### [IV: Boyhood's Glory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/iv-boyhood-s-glory) Michael's mother, who spoils him and enjoys his company and that of Alan; hosts them at Carlington Road. ### [Incense](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/v-incense) Michael's mother; he is reticent about his church plans for fear she might accompany him. ### [Mirrors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/viii-mirrors) Michael's mother; exchanges stilted conversation with Michael about his holidays and her own travels; later hears about his meeting with Mr. Wilmot. ### [IX: The Yellow Age](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/ix-the-yellow-age) Reluctantly allows Michael to wear double collar, expresses concern about his rapid growth. ### [XI: Action and Reaction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/xi-action-and-reaction) Argues with Michael about his views on the war and Lord Saxby, accuses him of being vulgar and heartless. ### [XIII: Sentiment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/xiii-sentiment) Accompanies Michael to Bournemouth, judges Kathleen as 'provincial,' and facilitates Michael's introduction to the McDonnell sisters. ### [XV: Grey Eyes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/xv-grey-eyes) Travels with Michael to Basingstead, is described as tall and youthful with lustrous grey eyes, and later has supper at Cobble Place. ### [Lily](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/xvii-lily) Michael's mother; notices his agitation but is not told about Lily. ### [Parents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/xix-parents) Reveals her long-hidden relationship with Lord Saxby and reads his final letter to the children. ### [Music](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/xx-music) Reveals her past grief over Lord Saxby's death, then withdraws into her usual reserve; she arranges the family's travel and supports Stella's concert plans. ### [IV: Cheyne Walk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/iv-cheyne-walk) Mrs. Fane is late for appointments, prefers to avoid house-hunting, and is noted for her charitable tendencies. ### [VI: Gray and Blue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/vi-gray-and-blue) Has changed profoundly after moving to Cheyne Walk, becoming more conventional and sociable. ### [IX: The Lesson of Spain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/ix-the-lesson-of-spain) Michael's mother has shifted from Mental Science to a campaign against premature burial, and discusses cars with Dick Prescott. ### [XI: Sympathy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/xi-sympathy) Grieves for Dick Prescott, shares a new intimacy with Michael, and gradually returns to her charitable activities. ### [XIII: Plashers Mead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/xiii-plashers-mead) Shares Michael's worry about Stella; returns home to find Stella gentle with her; mentions Mrs. Carruthers and Mabel. ### [XV: The Last Term](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/xv-the-last-term) Invited to Commemoration with Stella. ### [XVI: The Last Week](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/xvi-the-last-week) Attends Commemoration with Michael and Stella, enjoys the festivities, and walks with Michael in the Christ Church quadrangles. ### [XVII: The Last Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/xvii-the-last-day) Accepts Michael's plan to stay away from London with her usual calm; is taken aside by Michael for a private word. ### [I: Ostia Ditis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/i-ostia-ditis) Mrs. Fane is Michael's mother, who returns home with Stella and is concerned about Michael's well-being. ### [III: The Café d’Orange](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/iii-the-caf-d-orange) Greets Michael warmly at Cheyne Walk, but does not press him about his whereabouts. ### [VII: The Gate of Ivory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/chapters/vii-the-gate-of-ivory) Michael's mother, who returns from the South of France and confronts Michael about not telling her of his marriage plans. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/characters/mrs_fane - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sinister_street_se/characters