# Nora — The Dead Letter character guide

> Nora in The Dead Letter by Metta Victor.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** little Nora, Little Nora, Lenore, Miss Lenore, little Lenore, Miss Nora, Poor Nora

**First appearance:** 0010-part-i-xi-the-little-guest-and-the-apparition

## Snapshot

A curly-haired child whose parentage is a locked door, she is loved fiercely by a dying woman who would rather see her orphaned than claimed by her father.

## Who they are

Nora is the small, bright center of Leesy Sullivan's fading world, a child whose innocence is guarded with a ferocity that surprises everyone who witnesses it. Her father, George Thorley, is a name Leesy will not speak without a shudder, and her fear of him shapes every choice she makes about the girl's future. As Burton prepares to travel west, Nora becomes the living question at the heart of the mystery: who will protect her, and from what?

## Relationships

### [Eleanor Argyll](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/characters/eleanor_argyll)

_friendship_

Eleanor and Nora are close friends or companions, sharing many interactions that suggest a supportive bond.

### [George Thorley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/characters/george_thorley)

_professional_

George Thorley and Nora have a professional relationship, possibly as employer and employee or colleagues.

### [Eleanor Argyll](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/characters/eleanor_argyll)

_friendship_

Eleanor and Nora are close friends or companions, sharing many interactions that suggest a supportive bond.

### [George Thorley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/characters/george_thorley)

_professional_

George Thorley and Nora have a professional relationship, possibly as employer and employee or colleagues.

## In the story

### [VIII: The Haunted Grave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/chapters/part-i-viii-the-haunted-grave)

The child with Leesy at the grave, referenced as 'little Nora' or 'Lenore' in the context of the infant.

### [The Little Guest and the Apparition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/chapters/part-i-xi-the-little-guest-and-the-apparition)

Lenore Burton, the little guest; charms the family but initially fears James Argyll, later succumbs to his attentions.

### [The Night in Moreland Villa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/chapters/part-i-xii-the-night-in-moreland-villa)

Mentioned as Lenore, Mr. Burton's daughter, who is fond of James Argyll and has intuitive perceptions.

### [Our Visits](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/chapters/part-ii-ii-our-visits)

Lenore is subjected to a trance to trace the dead-letter's sender, but fails due to the passage of time.

### [III: The Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/chapters/part-ii-iii-the-confession)

The little child, daughter of George Thorley and the deceased Nora, cared for by Miss Sullivan.

### [Embarked for California](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/chapters/part-ii-iv-embarked-for-california)

Mr. Burton's daughter, called Lenore; bright and healthy during the voyage; becomes the light of the steamer; distressed by her father's departure.

### [On the Trail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/chapters/part-ii-v-on-the-trail)

Referred to as Lenore; travels with Redfield, sings on deck, and is eagerly awaited by her father.

### [X: The New Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/chapters/part-ii-x-the-new-life)

Lenore, Mr. Burton's daughter; lives with the family; grief-stricken but comforted by Eleanor.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/characters/nora
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dead_letter_se/characters