# Miserrimus Dexter — The Law and the Lady character guide > Miserrimus Dexter in The Law and the Lady by Wilkie Collins. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Dexter, Know Miserrimus Dexter, mad Miserrimus Dexter, So Dexter, Prince Dexter **First appearance:** 0027-xxiv-miserrimus-dexter-first-view ## Snapshot A legless, brilliant eccentric who cooks Burgundy in an alcove and may hold the key to a poisoning he seems to find amusing. ## Who they are Miserrimus Dexter receives Valeria in a room of mirrors and gas-stoves, quoting Latin, dressing for dinner in paper caps, and treating his servant Ariel as a cross between a dog and a daughter. His mind is cast in a Roman mold, he says, and his caprice is genuine: he may help Valeria or destroy her, depending on the mood of the hour. His intimacy with the dead woman's secrets makes him the most dangerous and most necessary ally in her investigation. ## Relationships ### [Ariel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/ariel) _psychological_ Ariel is Dexter's devoted but exploited servant and companion, bound by his obsessive control and her own dependency. ### [Valeria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/valeria) _psychological_ Dexter is obsessively fascinated by Valeria, manipulating her investigation while harboring a dark secret about her husband's case. ### [Eustace Macallan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/eustace_macallan) _rivalry_ Eustace and Dexter are bitter antagonists, with Dexter suspected of poisoning Eustace's first wife and tormenting him. ### [Benjamin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/benjamin) _professional_ Benjamin, as a lawyer's clerk, interacts with Dexter in the context of legal proceedings and investigations. ### [Mr. Playmore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/mr_playmore) _rivalry_ Dexter and Mr. Playmore are adversaries in the legal and investigative battle over the poisoning case. ### [Mr. Dexter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/mr_dexter) _family_ Mr. Dexter is Miserrimus Dexter's father, though their relationship is strained by the son's erratic and criminal behavior. ### [Valeria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/valeria) _psychological_ Dexter is obsessively fascinated by Valeria, manipulating her investigation while harboring a dark secret about her husband's case. ### [Ariel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/ariel) _psychological_ Ariel is Dexter's devoted but exploited servant and companion, bound by his obsessive control and her own dependency. ### [Eustace Macallan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/eustace_macallan) _rivalry_ Eustace and Dexter are bitter antagonists, with Dexter suspected of poisoning Eustace's first wife and tormenting him. ### [Eustace Macallan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/eustace_macallan) _rivalry_ Eustace and Dexter are bitter antagonists, with Dexter suspected of poisoning Eustace's first wife and tormenting him. ### [Mr. Dexter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/mr_dexter) _family_ Mr. Dexter is Miserrimus Dexter's father, though their relationship is strained by the son's erratic and criminal behavior. ### [Mr. Playmore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/mr_playmore) _rivalry_ Dexter and Mr. Playmore are adversaries in the legal and investigative battle over the poisoning case. ## In the story ### [Part II: Paradise Regained](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/part-ii-paradise-regained) An eccentric and possibly mad figure who holds key information. ### [Second Question—Who Poisoned Her?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xvii-second-question-who-poisoned-her) A friend of Eustace who defended his papers; Valeria plans to seek his advice first. ### [XIX: The Evidence for the Defense](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xix-the-evidence-for-the-defense) Announced as the next witness, referred to as the prisoner's old friend. ### [XX: The End of the Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xx-the-end-of-the-trial) Testifies as a witness; speaks slightingly of Mrs. Beauly and suggests private reasons for distrusting her. ### [XXI: I See My Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxi-i-see-my-way) Valeria decides to seek his advice, hoping he shares her suspicions about Mrs. Beauly. ### [The Major Makes Difficulties](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxii-the-major-makes-difficulties) Discussed at length; described by the Major as mad, a mixture of tiger and monkey, but clever. ### [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) Described by Mrs. Macallan as a madman with erratic behavior at the trial, yet Valeria seeks his advice. ### [XXIV: Miserrimus Dexter—First View](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxiv-miserrimus-dexter-first-view) The eccentric and physically deformed man Valeria seeks; reacts with horror upon learning she is Eustace's second wife. ### [XXV: Miserrimus Dexter—Second View](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxv-miserrimus-dexter-second-view) Dexter swings from hysterical screaming to gentle apology, explains his imaginative fits, and insists on calling Valeria 'Mrs. Valeria' to avoid painful memories. ### [More of My Obstinacy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxvi-more-of-my-obstinacy) Valeria defends Dexter against accusations of madness and decides to seek his help, believing he can assist her in her mission. ### [Mr. Dexter at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxvii-mr-dexter-at-home) Shows Valeria his grotesque paintings, demands pity in a childish manner, and uses her walking to evoke memories of Eustace's first wife. ### [XXVIII: In the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxviii-in-the-dark) Alternates between childlike penitence and wild agitation; shows intense interest and fear when Valeria mentions the Scotch Verdict. ### [XXIX: In the Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxix-in-the-light) Dexter shows extreme agitation when Valeria mentions the trial, then recovers, cooks truffles, but becomes distrustful when asked about Mrs. Beauly. ### [The Indictment of Mrs. Beauly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxx-the-indictment-of-mrs-beauly) Dexter reveals his moral certainty that Mrs. Beauly is the poisoner, describes his nocturnal surveillance, and advises Valeria on how to proceed. ### [The Defense of Mrs. Beauly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxi-the-defense-of-mrs-beauly) Mentioned as having spoken to Valeria about Mrs. Beauly; Lady Clarinda says he hates her and delights in mystifying people. ### [A Specimen of My Wisdom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxii-a-specimen-of-my-wisdom) Sends a characteristic reply to Valeria's letter, hinting at his intent to undermine her confidence in Lady Clarinda. ### [A Specimen of My Folly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxiii-a-specimen-of-my-folly) Discussed as the prime suspect in the poisoning; his panic at Valeria's questions and his past proposal to the late Mrs. Macallan are highlighted as evidence of guilt. ### [Gleninch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxiv-gleninch) Discussed as a potential manipulator; Mr. Playmore warns Valeria about his audacity and predicts he will try to deceive her about Mrs. Beauly. ### [Mr. Playmore’s Prophecy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxv-mr-playmore-s-prophecy) Appears uninvited at Benjamin's house, desperate for news; initially shocked by Lady Clarinda's revelation, then tries to suggest an alibi theory; later breaks down in grief over the dead woman and makes a physical advance on Valeria. ### [Ariel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxvi-ariel) Writes a letter of apology to Valeria, admitting his madness and begging for forgiveness, offering to meet only with a third party present. ### [At the Bedside](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxvii-at-the-bedside) Referenced as the key figure Valeria intends to confront again. Mr. Playmore's letter provides evidence that Dexter was in the study and likely entered the bedchamber on the night of the death. ### [On the Way to Dexter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxix-on-the-way-to-dexter) Subject of the planned visit; reported to have shown a change for the worse and to have been emotionally disturbed during Valeria's absence. ### [Nemesis at Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xl-nemesis-at-last) Shows severe physical and mental decline; torments Ariel with strings, but is emotionally volatile and fixated on Valeria. ### [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) Reported to be in a state of absolute imbecility, unaware of Ariel's devotion, and unable to play his harp; his cryptic words about a torn letter are the focus of the chapter. ### [XLII: More Surprises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xlii-more-surprises) Remains unchanged in his condition; is to be moved to an asylum under the care of a new doctor. ### [XLV: The Dust-Heap Disturbed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xlv-the-dust-heap-disturbed) Previously suppressed the letter until after the trial, then tore it up and disposed of it on the dust-heap. ### [XLVII: The Wife's Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xlvii-the-wife-s-confession) The false friend who manipulates Sara, steals the diary key, and exposes Eustace's private thoughts to drive her to despair. ### [XLVIII: What Else Could I Do?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xlviii-what-else-could-i-do) His last effort of memory, prompted by Ariel, directed attention to the tragedy at Gleninch. ### [Past and Future](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xlix-past-and-future) Reported to be in declining health, possibly facing paralysis; his past motives and actions are analyzed. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/endnotes) Referenced as the one who betrays his own secret to Valeria in an earlier scene. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/miserrimus_dexter - 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