# Lady Muriel Orme — Sylvie and Bruno character guide > Lady Muriel Orme in Sylvie and Bruno by Lewis Carroll. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Lady Muriel, Muriel, Number Forty Lady Muriel **First appearance:** 0001-volume-i-i-less-bread-more-taxes ## Snapshot A kind, quick-witted young noblewoman who buttons her glove to avoid an unwelcome question and quietly holds the affection of two very different men. ## Who they are Lady Muriel moves easily among the Earl's guests, teasing Eric, soothing Bruno, and listening to the narrator with genuine attention. Her small evasions — a glove that suddenly needs fastening, a hasty 'Don't puzzle the child!' — reveal a woman managing a courtship she has not fully consented to. She is beloved by Arthur and pursued by Eric Lindon, and her struggle to choose between duty, feeling, and self-knowledge anchors the novel's real-world plot. Her shudder at news of the epidemic shows how much she has at stake in Arthur's dangerous vocation. ## In the story ### [A Beggar's Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-v-a-beggar-s-palace) The young lady on the train who teases the narrator about his dream and shares a witty discussion about ghosts and literature. ### [VI: The Magic Locket](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-vi-the-magic-locket) Travels with the Narrator to Elveston; Arthur reveals his feelings for her. ### [A Ride on a Lion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-viii-a-ride-on-a-lion) Greets the narrator warmly, participates in the tea-time paradox conversation, and shows deep affection for Arthur. ### [Fairy-Sylvie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xiv-fairy-sylvie) Mentioned as the object of Arthur's affection; her feelings are uncertain. ### [XVI: A Changed Crocodile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xvi-a-changed-crocodile) Lady Muriel warmly welcomes the narrator and invites him and Arthur to a picnic. ### [The Three Badgers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xvii-the-three-badgers) Hosts the picnic, engages in witty conversation with Arthur, and later sings the song of the three badgers. ### [Queer Street, Number Forty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xviii-queer-street-number-forty) Introduces her cousin Eric Lindon to the party, speaks cheerfully with him, leaves in a carriage. ### [How to Make a Phlizz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xix-how-to-make-a-phlizz) Discusses religion and morality with Arthur; expresses gratitude for the conversation. ### [Light Come, Light Go](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xx-light-come-light-go) Welcomes the children, sings a song about love and distance, and later playfully interrogates the Narrator about the vanished flowers. ### [Crossing the Line](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xxii-crossing-the-line) Emotionally affected by the rescue, interacts with the children and Eric. ### [An Outlandish Watch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xxiii-an-outlandish-watch) Has gone to bed due to the excitement of a terrible scene. ### [Looking Eastward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-i-xxv-looking-eastward) Radiantly happy with her engagement; shares a letter about a strict Victorian Sunday and raises Eric's views on prayer. ### [II: Love's Curfew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-ii-love-s-curfew) Confides in the narrator about her broken engagement and her struggle between duty and love. ### [III: Streaks of Dawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-iii-streaks-of-dawn) Mentioned as doing charitable work; appears walking alone on the beach, unaware of being guided toward Arthur. ### [Willie's Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-vi-willie-s-wife) Mentioned as the one Arthur loves; she wants to see the narrator. ### [VII: Mein Herr](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-vii-mein-herr) Lady Muriel speaks of heavenly joy, sews a magical purse under Mein Herr's instruction, and shows childlike curiosity. ### [VIII: In a Shady Place](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-viii-in-a-shady-place) Hosts tea in the arbor, participates in the letter-writing discussion, and listens intently to Arthur's philosophical argument, expressing both agreement and astonishment. ### [IX: The Farewell-Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-ix-the-farewell-party) Hosts the farewell party, introduces guests, and participates in discussions about music, social customs, and teetotalism. ### [X: Jabbering and Jam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-x-jabbering-and-jam) Teases Arthur about the music and later helps manage the children's interaction with the young lady. ### [XI: The Man in the Moon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xi-the-man-in-the-moon) Lady Muriel briefly appears, taking the children away with the comment 'This is Liberty-Hall!' ### [Fairy-Music](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xii-fairy-music) Encourages Sylvie to play and later petitions the Count for a song. ### [XVI: Beyond These Voices](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xvi-beyond-these-voices) Hosts the gathering, leads the search for the children, and engages in the philosophical discussion. ### [To the Rescue!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xvii-to-the-rescue) Bravely marries Arthur knowing he is going to his probable death; she gives him her pocket-Testament and releases him to God's work. ### [A Newspaper-Cutting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xviii-a-newspaper-cutting) Lady Muriel Orme is mentioned as Arthur Forester's wife, having married him on the morning he undertook his self-sacrificing mission. ### [XIX: A Fairy-Duet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xix-a-fairy-duet) Mourns Arthur Forester at his memorial cross; experiences deep grief but later finds solace in Sylvie's song. ### [The Banquet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxii-the-banquet) Visits and comforts an old man, making amends for a past slight; praised by the narrator. ### [Life Out of Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxv-life-out-of-death) Sends for the narrator in joyful excitement; she is now Arthur's wife and tenderly nurses him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/characters/lady_muriel_orme - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sylvie_and_bruno_se/characters