# Major Fitz-David — The Law and the Lady character guide > Major Fitz-David in The Law and the Lady by Wilkie Collins. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Major, Dear Major Fitz-David, the Major, The quick-witted Major, David **First appearance:** 0009-vii-on-the-way-to-the-major ## Snapshot The quick-witted old friend who reads Eustace's farewell letter aloud and calls its author mad, then quietly helps Valeria pick up the pieces. ## Who they are Major Fitz-David is the kind of friend who opens other people's letters when asked and delivers his verdict without flinching: there is but one excuse for Eustace, and it is madness. He moves easily between Valeria's confidences and the practical errands her investigation requires, lending her both his name and his skepticism. His loyalty gives Valeria a base of operations in a world where most men would prefer she stop asking questions. ## Relationships ### [Benjamin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/benjamin) _friendship_ Benjamin and Major Fitz-David are allies and companions, often working together to support Valeria's quest. ### [Eustace Macallan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/eustace_macallan) _friendship_ Major Fitz-David is a loyal friend to Eustace, offering support and counsel during his legal troubles. ### [Lady Clarinda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/lady_clarinda) _romantic_ Lady Clarinda and Major Fitz-David share a flirtatious and affectionate romantic relationship. ### [Eustace Macallan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/eustace_macallan) _friendship_ Major Fitz-David is a loyal friend to Eustace, offering support and counsel during his legal troubles. ### [Benjamin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/benjamin) _friendship_ Benjamin and Major Fitz-David are allies and companions, often working together to support Valeria's quest. ### [Lady Clarinda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/lady_clarinda) _romantic_ Lady Clarinda and Major Fitz-David share a flirtatious and affectionate romantic relationship. ### [Lady Clarinda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/lady_clarinda) _romantic_ Lady Clarinda and Major Fitz-David share a flirtatious and affectionate romantic relationship. ### [Benjamin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/benjamin) _friendship_ Benjamin and Major Fitz-David are allies and companions, often working together to support Valeria's quest. ### [Eustace Macallan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/eustace_macallan) _friendship_ Major Fitz-David is a loyal friend to Eustace, offering support and counsel during his legal troubles. ## In the story ### [II: The Bride's Thoughts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/ii-the-bride-s-thoughts) Mentioned as the author of a brief letter about Eustace's background, which raised her uncle's suspicions. ### [VI: My Own Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/vi-my-own-discovery) Identified as Eustace's friend; his address is the same house Valeria saw Eustace leaving, prompting her to plan a visit. ### [On the Way to the Major](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/vii-on-the-way-to-the-major) Mentioned as the person Valeria intends to visit to learn more about Eustace's secret. ### [VIII: The Friend of the Women](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/viii-the-friend-of-the-women) An old friend of Eustace, initially reluctant but sympathetic to Valeria's plight; his admiration for women is evident. ### [IX: The Defeat of the Major](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/ix-the-defeat-of-the-major) Torn between his promise to Eustace and his sympathy for Valeria; he eventually reveals that Eustace's secret involves a past misfortune. ### [The Search](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/x-the-search) Major Fitz-David leaves Valeria alone in his study, but she later realizes he has been watching her, confirming the bookcase hides a secret. ### [The Return to Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xi-the-return-to-life) Explains the 'Not Proven' verdict to Valeria; tries to reason with Eustace and supports Valeria in her resolve. ### [XII: The Scotch Verdict](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xii-the-scotch-verdict) Major Fitz-David is present in the study and briefly interacts with Valeria when she seeks his support. ### [XIII: The Man’s Decision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xiii-the-man-s-decision) Opens Eustace's letter and declares him mad; supports Valeria's patience but ultimately accompanies her to the hotel. ### [XIV: The Woman's Answer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xiv-the-woman-s-answer) Visits Valeria to report on his conversation with Eustace's lawyers; shows tact and concern. ### [XXI: I See My Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxi-i-see-my-way) Arrives for lunch; Valeria sees him as a potential introduction to Miserrimus Dexter. ### [The Major Makes Difficulties](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxii-the-major-makes-difficulties) Strongly opposes Valeria's request, warns Dexter is mad, and proposes a dinner party as a safer alternative. ### [My Mother-in-Law Surprises Me](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxiii-my-mother-in-law-surprises-me) Mentioned as having promised to introduce Valeria to Dexter, but Mrs. Macallan doubts his reliability. ### [The Indictment of Mrs. Beauly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxx-the-indictment-of-mrs-beauly) Identified as a friend of Eustace who may know Mrs. Beauly's whereabouts; Valeria plans to dine with him. ### [The Defense of Mrs. Beauly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxi-the-defense-of-mrs-beauly) Hosts the dinner party, flirts with the ladies, and introduces Valeria as Mrs. Woodville. ### [The Last of the Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/l-the-last-of-the-story) Marries a young woman; speaks absurdly of her lost operatic career in her presence. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/major_fitz_david - 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