# Mrs. Macallan — The Law and the Lady character guide > Mrs. Macallan in The Law and the Lady by Wilkie Collins. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Macallan, Poor Mrs. Macallan, Mrs. Eustace Macallan, Mrs. Macallan the elder, the late Mrs. Eustace **First appearance:** 0026-xxiii-my-mother-in-law-surprises-me ## Snapshot Eustace's mother, who testifies that her son's diary is a libel on his own character and that no one should judge a man by his moody pen. ## Who they are Mrs. Macallan the elder appears at the trial as a formidable defender of her son, insisting that his rash diary entries misrepresent a husband who was invariably considerate. She admits the marriage was unhappy but denies any cruelty, and her firm testimony leaves the Lord Advocate with little to cross-examine beyond arsenic and cosmetics. Her presence in the novel embodies the maternal version of Eustace's character, a version Valeria must test against the documentary record. ## In the story ### [The Law and the Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/the-law-and-the-lady) Eustace's mother, whose opposition adds to Valeria's challenges. ### [III: Ramsgate Sands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/iii-ramsgate-sands) Encountered walking alone on the beach; initially does not recognize Valeria, but upon learning she is Eustace's wife, expresses contempt and walks away. ### [On the Way Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/iv-on-the-way-home) Her contemptuous and apathetic behavior toward Eustace and pity for Valeria sparks the central mystery. ### [V: The Landlady’s Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/v-the-landlady-s-discovery) Mrs. Macallan is the subject of the landlady's investigation; her real surname is revealed to be Macallan, not Woodville, casting doubt on Valeria's marriage. ### [VI: My Own Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/vi-my-own-discovery) Refuses to answer Valeria's questions about her marital history, but expresses sympathy and advises Valeria to be content with her marriage. ### [IX: The Defeat of the Major](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/ix-the-defeat-of-the-major) Mentioned as sharing the Major's opinion that Eustace was wrong to marry under a false name; she refused to sanction the marriage for that reason. ### [XVI: First Question—Did the Woman Die Poisoned?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xvi-first-question-did-the-woman-die-poisoned) The deceased, described by the nurse as plain-featured, headstrong, and jealous of her husband's cousin Mrs. Beauly. ### [XIX: The Evidence for the Defense](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xix-the-evidence-for-the-defense) Testifies as the prisoner's mother, defending her son's character and denying that his diary represents his true feelings. ### [XX: The End of the Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xx-the-end-of-the-trial) Mentioned as the deceased wife; described as charming but sensitive, with a poet's nature. ### [The Major Makes Difficulties](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxii-the-major-makes-difficulties) Arrives unexpectedly at Benjamin's house to visit Valeria, having heard from Eustace and Doctor Starkweather. ### [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) Visits Valeria, expresses admiration for her spirit but warns her against consulting Dexter, and eventually agrees to accompany her. ### [XXIV: Miserrimus Dexter—First View](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxiv-miserrimus-dexter-first-view) Eustace's mother; guides Valeria to Dexter's house, provides sardonic commentary on Dexter's eccentricities. ### [XXV: Miserrimus Dexter—Second View](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxv-miserrimus-dexter-second-view) Mrs. Macallan is satirical and impatient, urging Valeria to leave but reluctantly staying to observe Dexter's behavior. ### [More of My Obstinacy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxvi-more-of-my-obstinacy) Mrs. Macallan shows Valeria Eustace's letter and warns her against returning to Miserrimus Dexter, expressing genuine concern for her well-being. ### [A Specimen of My Folly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxiii-a-specimen-of-my-folly) Valeria's mother-in-law, mentioned as having accompanied Valeria on a visit to Dexter. ### [Ariel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxvi-ariel) Arrives at the villa as a visitor while Valeria is returning from posting her letter. ### [At the Bedside](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxvii-at-the-bedside) Urges Valeria to stay with Eustace and abandon her investigation, but is disappointed when Valeria refuses. She later shares Valeria's joy at the pregnancy and supports her during Eustace's illness. ### [On the Journey Back](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxviii-on-the-journey-back) Valeria's mother-in-law, who coldly urges her to leave and receives Valeria's letter for Eustace. ### [On the Way to Dexter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxix-on-the-way-to-dexter) Mentioned as having been in foreign parts nursing Eustace; Dexter called at her house to inquire about Valeria. ### [XLII: More Surprises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xlii-more-surprises) Writes to Valeria from Spain, reporting Eustace's desire to return to his wife but also his continued aversion to the investigation. ### [At Last!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xliii-at-last) Writes to Valeria from Paris, describing Eustace's condition and urging her to join them. ### [Our New Honeymoon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xliv-our-new-honeymoon) Delicately leaves Valeria and Eustace alone after their reunion. ### [XLVI: The Crisis Deferred](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xlvi-the-crisis-deferred) Warns Valeria that Eustace has noticed a change in her, but offers no further advice or sympathy. ### [The Last of the Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/l-the-last-of-the-story) Waits in the next room; watches Eustace as he makes his decision. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/mrs_macallan_elder - 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