# Ariel — The Law and the Lady character guide > Ariel in The Law and the Lady by Wilkie Collins. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Even Ariel, Happy Ariel, Admirable Ariel **First appearance:** 0039-xxxvi-ariel ## Snapshot Miserrimus Dexter's mute, booted attendant, who moves like a trained animal and answers only to her master's voice. ## Who they are Ariel haunts the shadowy hall and dark garden walk of Dexter's house, half asleep, half awake, leading visitors in and locking gates behind them without a word. She is dull to strangers, deaf to courtesy, alive only when Dexter speaks — a woman whose whole personhood seems leased to one man's whim. Her eerie, animal obedience makes Dexter's household feel less like a home than a menagerie, and quietly raises the question of what hold he has over her. ## Relationships ### [Miserrimus Dexter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/miserrimus_dexter) _psychological_ Ariel is Dexter's devoted but exploited servant and companion, bound by his obsessive control and her own dependency. ### [Benjamin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/benjamin) _social_ Ariel and Benjamin are acquaintances who interact primarily through their connections to Dexter and the investigation. ### [Miserrimus Dexter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/miserrimus_dexter) _psychological_ Ariel is Dexter's devoted but exploited servant and companion, bound by his obsessive control and her own dependency. ### [Miserrimus Dexter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/miserrimus_dexter) _psychological_ Ariel is Dexter's devoted but exploited servant and companion, bound by his obsessive control and her own dependency. ### [Benjamin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/benjamin) _social_ Ariel and Benjamin are acquaintances who interact primarily through their connections to Dexter and the investigation. ## In the story ### [XXIV: Miserrimus Dexter—First View](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxiv-miserrimus-dexter-first-view) Dexter's cousin, described as an idiot, who wears a man's hat and speaks in a hoarse whisper. ### [XXV: Miserrimus Dexter—Second View](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxv-miserrimus-dexter-second-view) Ariel, Dexter's cousin, is a dull-faced woman in man's clothing who dresses his hair with mechanical skill and shows fierce jealousy when he suggests another might touch him. ### [More of My Obstinacy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxvi-more-of-my-obstinacy) Ariel is mentioned as the cousin who will call for Valeria in the pony-chaise the next day. ### [Mr. Dexter at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxvii-mr-dexter-at-home) Dexter's servant, who whistles for Valeria and vanishes into the kitchen. ### [XXIX: In the Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxix-in-the-light) Mentioned as Dexter's servant, capable of roasting and boiling joints but not trusted for finer cooking. ### [Ariel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxvi-ariel) Delivers Dexter's letter, tearfully begs Valeria to beat her instead of punishing the Master, and joyfully memorizes Valeria's message of forgiveness before rushing back. ### [Nemesis at Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xl-nemesis-at-last) Endures Dexter's cruel teasing with strings, claiming to have no nerves, and remains devoted to him. ### [XLI: Mr. Playmore in a New Character](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xli-mr-playmore-in-a-new-character) Remains devotedly at Dexter's side; becomes quiet only when allowed to sit at his feet; her attachment is noted as sad but unwavering. ### [XLII: More Surprises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xlii-more-surprises) Faithfully attends her master; faces separation unless funds are raised; Valeria arranges for her to accompany Dexter to the asylum with limited visiting privileges. ### [XLVIII: What Else Could I Do?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xlviii-what-else-could-i-do) Entreated the Master to tell a story, leading to the crucial memory. ### [Past and Future](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xlix-past-and-future) Remains unchanged, devoted to Dexter and believing he will recognize her again. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/ariel - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters