The Law and the Lady · Character

Benjamin

Valeria's elderly, tenderhearted father, who would rather see her happy than safe and cannot bear to watch her suffer.

supporting

Also known as old Benjamin, Mr. Benjamin, simple old Benjamin, dear old Benjamin, good Benjamin, good old Benjamin, Even Benjamin, Kindhearted Benjamin, My kind old Benjamin

First appearance: I: The Bride’s Mistake

As a supporting figure in The Law and the Lady, Benjamin is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Her father's old clerk, who gives her away and bids her a quiet goodbye.

In the storyI: The Bride’s MistakeOpen this moment free

See Benjamin in I: The Bride’s Mistake Book page

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Benjamin is the quiet, devoted old man who raised Valeria and now watches her marry a stranger with a shadowed past. Where Major Fitz-David counsels caution, Benjamin counsels surrender — he sides with his daughter when she demands the trial report, unable to deny her anything even when denial would be kinder. His helpless tenderness sharpens the novel's central ache: love that can only stand by while the beloved walks into danger.

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See Benjamin in I: The Bride’s Mistake

Character Web

16 connections

A slice of how Benjamin sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Friendship
Social

Character groups

Core Investigation Team
Protagonist
Trial and Suspect Figures

+11 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it marks the psychological breaking point where Ariel’s simmering je…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Miserrimus Dexter
professional · negative
Benjamin, as a lawyer's clerk, interacts with Dexter in the context of legal proceedings… How this plays out →
Major Fitz-David
friendship · positive
Ariel
social · ambivalent
Mr. Playmore
professional · positive
Eustace Macallan
friendship · positive
Mr. Dexter
professional · ambivalent
Valeria
friendship · positive
Valeria
friendship · positive
Major Fitz-David
friendship · positive
Mr. Playmore
professional · positive
Eustace Macallan
friendship · positive
Mr. Dexter
professional · ambivalent

Miserrimus Dexter
Benjamin, as a lawyer's clerk, interacts with Dexter in the context of legal proceedings and investigations.
Major Fitz-David
Benjamin and Major Fitz-David are allies and companions, often working together to support Valeria's quest.
Ariel
Ariel and Benjamin are acquaintances who interact primarily through their connections to Dexter and the investigation.
Mr. Playmore
Benjamin and Mr. Playmore are colleagues in the legal profession, collaborating on the case.
Eustace Macallan
Benjamin is a steadfast friend to Eustace, helping him navigate the legal crisis.
Mr. Dexter
Benjamin interacts with Mr. Dexter in a legal capacity, often as an intermediary or investigator.
Valeria
Benjamin is a devoted friend and helper to Valeria, assisting her in her investigation.
Valeria
Benjamin is a devoted friend and helper to Valeria, assisting her in her investigation.
Major Fitz-David
Benjamin and Major Fitz-David are allies and companions, often working together to support Valeria's quest.
Mr. Playmore
Benjamin and Mr. Playmore are colleagues in the legal profession, collaborating on the case.
Eustace Macallan
Benjamin is a steadfast friend to Eustace, helping him navigate the legal crisis.
Mr. Dexter
Benjamin interacts with Mr. Dexter in a legal capacity, often as an intermediary or investigator.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Benjamin in I: The Bride’s Mistake

In the story

Benjamin appears across 27 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I: The Bride’s Mistake
Her father's old clerk, who gives her away and bids her a quiet goodbye.
III: Ramsgate Sands
Not present in this chapter.
VI: My Own Discovery
Valeria's father's old clerk; advises her to seek information from an intimate friend of Eustace, leading her to Major Fitz-David.
On the Way to the Major
Advises Valeria to be cautious and offers to pave the way with Major Fitz-David.
The Return to Life
Watches over Valeria with tears; accompanies Eustace to the Major's house and is suspected of knowing more than he reveals.
XII: The Scotch Verdict
Benjamin is in the study with Major Fitz-David when Valeria returns to seek help.
XIII: The Man’s Decision
Advises Valeria to let her have her way in reading the trial; accompanies her and the Major to the hotel.
XIV: The Woman's Answer
Provides Valeria with lodging at his villa; is bewildered by her letter but supports her.
XXI: I See My Way
Valeria stays in his house; he informs her of Major Fitz-David's visit.
The Major Makes Difficulties
Present during the discussion; obediently records the dinner engagement despite his own reluctance.
More of My Obstinacy
Benjamin's house is where Mrs. Macallan drops Valeria off and where the pony-chaise arrives the next morning.
The Defense of Mrs. Beauly
Cares for Valeria during her recovery, accompanies her to the dinner party, and feels out of place among the guests.
A Specimen of My Wisdom
Advises Valeria to avoid Miserrimus Dexter, helps her obtain a letter of introduction, and accompanies her to Edinburgh.
Gleninch
Accompanies Valeria to Edinburgh but refuses to visit Gleninch, citing an old friend.
Mr. Playmore’s Prophecy
Stupefied by Dexter's dramatic entrance and speech; withdraws to the next room but returns when Valeria cries out for help.
Ariel
Mentioned as being out for a little while when Ariel arrives.
On the Journey Back
Valeria writes to him to expect her the next evening.
On the Way to Dexter
Strongly disapproves of the visit to Dexter, but reluctantly agrees to accompany Valeria and take notes using her signaling system.
Nemesis at Last
Accompanies Valeria as a protective figure, carrying a cane and rebuking Dexter for his familiarity.
XLI: Mr. Playmore in a New Character
Makes fair copies of his shorthand notes for Valeria to send to Mr. Playmore.
At Last!
Mentioned as the address where Valeria directs Mr. Playmore to send future letters.
Our New Honeymoon
Found experimenting with torn paper puzzles; receives Mr. Playmore's confidential letter and assists in the search for the torn document.
XLV: The Dust-Heap Disturbed
Writes to Valeria detailing the search and reconstruction of the torn letter; works with the chemist and Mr. Playmore.
XLVI: The Crisis Deferred
Writes to Valeria about the progress in reconstructing the letter; reports that the arsenic was procured at the wife's request.
XLVIII: What Else Could I Do?
Mentioned as having written down the words that led to the discovery of the truth.
Past and Future
Provides information about Eustace's letter to Mrs. Beauly and Mr. Playmore's plan for the sealed confession.
The Last of the Story
Mentioned as a godfather for Valeria's son; his letters helped inform Eustace.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Benjamin unlock in the free preview.

See Benjamin in I: The Bride’s Mistake