# Paul Lessingham — The Beetle character guide > Paul Lessingham in The Beetle by Richard Marsh. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Lessingham, Lessingham, Mr. Paul Lessingham, the great Paul Lessingham, Paul **First appearance:** 0000-book-i-the-house-with-the-open-window ## Snapshot A celebrated statesman whose public brilliance conceals a private terror: he cannot bear the mention of beetles, and something from Egypt has found him again. ## Who they are Paul Lessingham commands the political stage and the devotion of Marjorie Lindon, yet he is a haunted man whose composure cracks at the mere sight of a scarab. His past in the East has left him with a dread he will not name and a rival, Atherton, who suspects him of being not merely secretive but contaminated. His refusal to speak of what pursues him, even as it closes in on the woman he loves, drives the novel's central tension between respectable English life and an older, predatory evil. ## Relationships ### [The Beetle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/the_beetle) _psychological_ Paul Lessingham is the primary obsession and victim of the Beetle, who relentlessly pursues him due to a past connection in Egypt. ### [Sydney Atherton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/sydney_atherton) _rivalry_ Paul Lessingham and Sydney Atherton are romantic rivals for Marjorie Lindon's affection, leading to mutual resentment and competition. ### [Marjorie Lindon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/marjorie_lindon) _romantic_ Marjorie Lindon is engaged to Paul Lessingham, though their relationship is strained by his mysterious past and the Beetle's interference. ### [Mr. Lindon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/mr_lindon) _social_ Mr. Lindon is the father of Marjorie and approves of Paul Lessingham as her fiancé, maintaining a cordial but formal relationship. ### [Matthews](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/matthews) _professional_ Matthews is a servant or employee of Paul Lessingham, assisting him with daily affairs and security. ### [The Beetle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/the_beetle) _psychological_ Paul Lessingham is the primary obsession and victim of the Beetle, who relentlessly pursues him due to a past connection in Egypt. ### [Marjorie Lindon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/marjorie_lindon) _romantic_ Marjorie Lindon is engaged to Paul Lessingham, though their relationship is strained by his mysterious past and the Beetle's interference. ### [The Beetle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/the_beetle) _psychological_ Paul Lessingham is the primary obsession and victim of the Beetle, who relentlessly pursues him due to a past connection in Egypt. ### [Sydney Atherton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/sydney_atherton) _rivalry_ Paul Lessingham and Sydney Atherton are romantic rivals for Marjorie Lindon's affection, leading to mutual resentment and competition. ### [Sydney Atherton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/sydney_atherton) _rivalry_ Paul Lessingham and Sydney Atherton are romantic rivals for Marjorie Lindon's affection, leading to mutual resentment and competition. ### [Mr. Lindon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/mr_lindon) _social_ Mr. Lindon is the father of Marjorie and approves of Paul Lessingham as her fiancé, maintaining a cordial but formal relationship. ### [Marjorie Lindon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/marjorie_lindon) _romantic_ Marjorie Lindon is engaged to Paul Lessingham, though their relationship is strained by his mysterious past and the Beetle's interference. ## In the story ### [Book I: The House with the Open Window](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/book-i-the-house-with-the-open-window) The target of the burglary that Holt is forced to commit; a prominent politician. ### [An Instruction to Commit Burglary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/v-an-instruction-to-commit-burglary) Lessingham is the target of the Beetle's plot; the Beetle speaks of him with a mix of venom and admiration, and orders Holt to steal letters from his study. ### [VII: The Great Paul Lessingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/vii-the-great-paul-lessingham) The great politician is initially composed but becomes terrified and disoriented upon hearing 'the beetle,' revealing a hidden past and fear of the occult. ### [IX: The Contents of the Packet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/ix-the-contents-of-the-packet) Referenced as the recipient of Marjorie's letters; the Beetle's hatred is focused on him. ### [X: Rejected](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/x-rejected) Mentioned as Marjorie's intended husband, though not present in the scene. ### [A Midnight Episode](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xi-a-midnight-episode) The 'Apostle'; his house is broken into, but he seems relieved the intruder escaped and dismisses Atherton brusquely. ### [A Morning Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xii-a-morning-visitor) The object of the stranger's and Atherton's shared animosity; mentioned as the man who might marry Marjorie. ### [The Picture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xiii-the-picture) Displays extreme fear upon seeing the beetle picture; pleads for secrecy and hints at a traumatic past involving Isis. ### [The Duchess’ Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xiv-the-duchess-ball) Mentioned as Marjorie's beloved and a rising politician; he is about to speak in the House of Commons on the Agricultural Amendment Act. ### [XV: Mr. Lessingham Speaks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xv-mr-lessingham-speaks) Delivers a highly successful parliamentary speech, displaying calmness, rhetorical skill, and political acumen; contrasts sharply with his earlier terror-stricken state. ### [XVI: Atherton’s Magic Vapour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xvi-atherton-s-magic-vapour) Mentioned as the man who 'went away with Marjorie'; his house is pointed out by Atherton, and a cat from outside his house is captured for the experiment. ### [A Heavy Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xx-a-heavy-father) Discussed extensively by Mr. Lindon, who accuses him of being a political adventurer and a scoundrel with an unknown past. ### [The Terror in the Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxi-the-terror-in-the-night) Mentioned repeatedly by Marjorie as the object of her fear and the name uttered by the mysterious man. ### [The Haunted Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxii-the-haunted-man) Admits to a recurring delusion or blight; agrees to withdraw his pretensions to Marjorie temporarily. ### [XXIII: The Way He Told Her](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxiii-the-way-he-told-her) Proposes to Marjorie on Westminster Bridge; their friendship and political discussions are detailed. ### [XXIV: A Woman’s View](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxiv-a-woman-s-view) Marjorie's fiancé; keeps engagement secret due to political strain and fear of Mr. Lindon's reaction; overworked and sleepless. ### [XXV: The Man in the Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxv-the-man-in-the-street) Referenced twice by the stranger, who cries out his name in a warning. ### [A Father’s No](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxvi-a-father-s-no) Delivers a great speech in the House of Commons; is the target of Mr. Lindon's and Sydney Atherton's abuse. ### [XXVII: The Terror by Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxvii-the-terror-by-night) Mentioned in Holt's warning and in Marjorie's thoughts as the subject of his great speech and her romantic interest. ### [XXVIII: The Strange Story of the Man in the Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxviii-the-strange-story-of-the-man-in-the-street) Referenced as the target of the creature's hatred and the victim of the burglary; Holt describes how Paul failed to detain him upon hearing a reference to a beetle. ### [XXXI: The Terror by Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxi-the-terror-by-day) Marjorie thinks of Paul, defending him against any possible connection to Holt's bizarre adventures. ### [A New Client](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxii-a-new-client) A prominent statesman who comes to Champnell as a client, reluctantly prepared to disclose a remarkable and personal story. ### [XXXIII: What Came of Looking Through a Lattice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxiii-what-came-of-looking-through-a-lattice) Narrates his traumatic captivity in Cairo, including hypnotic control, witnessing sacrifices, and the beetle transformation. ### [After Twenty Years](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxiv-after-twenty-years) Reveals his traumatic past in the Rue de Rabagas and his fear of renewed persecution; seeks Champnell's help against Atherton and the mysterious intruder. ### [A Bringer of Tidings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxv-a-bringer-of-tidings) Present in Champnell's office; reacts with explosive rage upon hearing of Marjorie's danger, physically attacking Atherton before being somewhat mollified. ### [What the Tidings Were](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxvi-what-the-tidings-were) Present in the cab, he is initially in the dark but becomes deeply concerned upon seeing Marjorie's engagement ring. ### [What Was Hidden Under the Floor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxvii-what-was-hidden-under-the-floor) Accompanies Atherton, expresses belief in the cabman's story and speaks of instinct regarding devil's tricks. ### [The Rest of the Find](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-rest-of-the-find) Identifies the dress and hair as Marjorie's; vows vengeance and threatens Atherton, holding him responsible for the harm to Marjorie. ### [Miss Louisa Coleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xxxix-miss-louisa-coleman) Present during the interview; reads the tenant's letter and comments on its oddity. ### [XL: What Miss Coleman Saw Through the Window](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xl-what-miss-coleman-saw-through-the-window) Present during Miss Coleman's narrative; becomes agitated when she describes the bundle. ### [XLI: The Constable—His Clue—and the Cab](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xli-the-constable-his-clue-and-the-cab) Expresses horror and concern for Marjorie, initially agreeing with Atherton's grim theory about the bundle. ### [XLII: The Quarry Doubles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xlii-the-quarry-doubles) Present at the station, agitated and pacing, deeply concerned about Marjorie's fate. ### [XLIII: The Murder at Mrs. ’Enderson’s](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xliii-the-murder-at-mrs-enderson-s) Shows signs of mental collapse under the strain of Marjorie's disappearance; Champnell tries to manage his anxiety. ### [XLIV: The Man Who Was Murdered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xliv-the-man-who-was-murdered) Expresses relief that the victim is not Marjorie; shows distress and later requires brandy to steady himself. ### [The Sudden Stopping](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xlvi-the-sudden-stopping) Agitated and pale, but insists on joining the chase; the violent journey seems to revive his spirits. ### [XLVIII: The Conclusion of the Matter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/chapters/xlviii-the-conclusion-of-the-matter) Married Marjorie Lindon, is a revered statesman, no longer haunted by the Beetle, but retains a strong aversion to beetles. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters/paul_lessingham - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_beetle_se/characters