# Lady Marney — Sybil character guide

> Lady Marney in Sybil by Benjamin Disraeli.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Marney, inexperienced Lady Marney, charming Lady Marney

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Snapshot

Lord Marney's kind, neglected wife, whose ironic smile at Lady St. Julians's confident notes hides a woman who sees clearly and is listened to by no one.

## Who they are

Lady Marney reads Lady St. Julians's breathless gossip with an ironical smile and answers it with a courtesy that is almost a rebuke. She is charming, underestimated, and quietly generous — the sort of woman who befriends Sybil when the rest of her class would not. Her kindness to the Gerard household is one of the few bridges between the two Englands the novel sets against each other.

## In the story

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/iv)

Reveals the secret of the king's dying condition and her political strategy for Egremont; dismisses Lady St. Julians' contrary note.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/v)

Egremont's mother, a 'stateswoman' and friend of Lady St. Julians, who writes to him about politics and the Reform Act.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/vi)

Lady Marney correctly predicts the king's death, having prior information, and takes quiet satisfaction in her foresight over Lady St. Julians.

### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/book-ii)

The wife of Lord Marney, whose character highlights the social obligations and superficial concerns of the aristocracy.

### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/i)

Warmly welcomes Egremont; attempts to engage in conversation but is subdued by her husband's contentious nature.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/vi)

Embarrassed and distressed by Lord Marney's sudden plan to visit Mowbray Castle, as it is inconvenient for her.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/vii)

Observes that Mowbray's growth as a manufacturing town might have deteriorated the castle's atmosphere but doubled its rental.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/xi)

Dines with Lord de Mowbray, discusses railroads and Lady Vanilla's amusing story about traveling with a felon.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/xii)

Converses with Lady Mowbray about the dullness of country life and her fondness for work.

### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/xv)

Arranged for Egremont to sit beside Lady Joan at dinner.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/ii)

Dreads returning home, responds in monosyllables during the journey, and rushes in to separate the quarreling brothers, eventually fainting.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/ii)

Now married to the Marquis of Deloraine; she offers Egremont a birthday present.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/xi)

Hosts the assembly, expresses concern about Charles Egremont's absence, and discusses marriage and politics.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/vii)

Present at the ball; tasked by her husband to charm Lord Huntingford to secure his support against a railway branch-line.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/ii)

Assists Lord Marney by writing letters to prevent expected visitors.

### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/xiii)

Mourns her change of life, is comforted by Egremont, and later brings Sybil to Marney Abbey.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/characters/lady_marney
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/characters