# Valeria — The Law and the Lady character guide > Valeria in The Law and the Lady by Wilkie Collins. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mrs. Valeria, Pretty Mrs. Valeria, Merry Mrs. Valeria, Dear Mrs. Valeria, Clever Mrs. Valeria, Injured Mrs. Valeria, Cruel Mrs. Valeria **First appearance:** 0001-the-law-and-the-lady ## Snapshot A bride of six days who opens her husband's farewell letter and refuses to accept its verdict, turning detective against a poisoning charge no one else will touch. ## Who they are Valeria marries Eustace Macallan only to learn, through his own confession, that he was tried for poisoning his first wife and never honorably acquitted. Rather than accept his self-imposed exile, she resolves to clear his name, an ambition that carries her into drawing rooms, court records, and the lair of a madman. Her blend of romantic devotion and stubborn investigative nerve drives the novel's central question: can a woman's will outargue a Scottish verdict? ## Relationships ### [Miserrimus Dexter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/miserrimus_dexter) _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) _romantic_ Eustace is Valeria's husband, but their marriage is strained by his secretive past and the shadow of his first wife's death. ### [Mr. Dexter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/mr_dexter) _social_ Mr. Dexter and Valeria are acquaintances, connected through the investigation and his son's involvement. ### [Benjamin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/benjamin) _friendship_ Benjamin is a devoted friend and helper to Valeria, assisting her in her investigation. ### [Miserrimus Dexter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/miserrimus_dexter) _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) _romantic_ Eustace is Valeria's husband, but their marriage is strained by his secretive past and the shadow of his first wife's death. ### [Benjamin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/benjamin) _friendship_ Benjamin is a devoted friend and helper to Valeria, assisting her in her investigation. ### [Mr. Dexter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/mr_dexter) _social_ Mr. Dexter and Valeria are acquaintances, connected through the investigation and his son's involvement. ### [Eustace Macallan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/eustace_macallan) _romantic_ Eustace is Valeria's husband, but their marriage is strained by his secretive past and the shadow of his first wife's death. ### [Benjamin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/benjamin) _friendship_ Benjamin is a devoted friend and helper to Valeria, assisting her in her investigation. ## 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) The protagonist, actively seeking to vindicate her husband despite legal and social obstacles. ### [Part I: Paradise Lost](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/part-i-paradise-lost) The narrator and protagonist, newly married to Eustace, begins to suspect her husband harbors a dark secret. ### [I: The Bride’s Mistake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/i-the-bride-s-mistake) The bride, who signs her married name by mistake and reflects on her appearance and feelings. ### [II: The Bride's Thoughts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/ii-the-bride-s-thoughts) The bride, absorbed in memories of her first meeting with Eustace and her unwavering devotion to him. ### [III: Ramsgate Sands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/iii-ramsgate-sands) Awakens with unusual nervousness, explores Eustace's dressing-case, discovers the hidden photograph of her mother-in-law, and later meets Mrs. Macallan on the beach. ### [On the Way Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/iv-on-the-way-home) Determined to uncover the family secret, but shaken by Eustace's deception and her own misgivings. ### [V: The Landlady’s Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/v-the-landlady-s-discovery) Valeria is worn out and struggling to decide her next steps after the beach confrontation; she is shocked by the landlady's revelation but resolves to seek the truth from her mother-in-law. ### [VI: My Own Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/vi-my-own-discovery) Determined to discover the secret behind her husband's assumed name; visits Mrs. Macallan and later seeks advice from Benjamin. ### [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) Determined to uncover her husband's secret despite his warnings; resolves to visit Major Fitz-David. ### [VIII: The Friend of the Women](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/viii-the-friend-of-the-women) Visits Major Fitz-David to seek answers about her husband's secret past, feeling desperate and determined. ### [IX: The Defeat of the Major](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/ix-the-defeat-of-the-major) Persistent and determined to uncover her husband's secret; she wears down Major Fitz-David's resistance through sheer obstinacy. ### [The Search](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/x-the-search) Valeria conducts a secret search of Major Fitz-David's study, experiencing intense jealousy upon finding a photograph of Eustace with another woman. ### [The Return to Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xi-the-return-to-life) Recovers from a serious fainting fit; learns of the 'Not Proven' verdict and is determined to prove her belief in Eustace's innocence. ### [XII: The Scotch Verdict](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xii-the-scotch-verdict) Valeria confronts Eustace, declares her unwavering belief in his innocence, and vows to help clear his name. ### [XIII: The Man’s Decision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xiii-the-man-s-decision) Devastated by Eustace's letter, she insists on reading the trial report to find a way to prove his innocence. ### [XIV: The Woman's Answer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xiv-the-woman-s-answer) Resolves to dedicate her life to proving Eustace's innocence; writes a letter declaring her unwavering love and determination. ### [Part II: Paradise Regained](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/part-ii-paradise-regained) The protagonist, actively pursuing justice and truth for her husband. ### [XV: The Story of the Trial. The Preliminaries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xv-the-story-of-the-trial-the-preliminaries) Narrator who reads and summarizes the trial report, expressing her emotional reluctance and relief at its accuracy. ### [Second Question—Who Poisoned Her?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xvii-second-question-who-poisoned-her) The narrator, reading the trial report and deciding to confide in Mr. Dexter and Mr. Playmore. ### [XVIII: Third Question—What Was His Motive?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xviii-third-question-what-was-his-motive) She reads the trial report and is pained by the diary entries, especially Eustace's expressions of love for Mrs. Beauly, but resolves to believe in his love for her. ### [XX: The End of the Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xx-the-end-of-the-trial) Narrates the trial's end, expresses outrage at the Lord Advocate, and vows to vindicate her husband. ### [XXI: I See My Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxi-i-see-my-way) Awakens with a new mind, resolves to vindicate her husband, and suspects Mrs. Beauly of the murder. ### [The Major Makes Difficulties](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxii-the-major-makes-difficulties) Persists in seeking an introduction to Miserrimus Dexter to clear her husband's name; reluctantly agrees to the Major's dinner party compromise. ### [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) Defends Eustace against his mother's criticism and insists on pursuing her plan to consult Miserrimus Dexter. ### [XXIV: Miserrimus Dexter—First View](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxiv-miserrimus-dexter-first-view) Narrator; accompanies Mrs. Macallan to visit Miserrimus Dexter, determined to seek his advice. ### [XXV: Miserrimus Dexter—Second View](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxv-miserrimus-dexter-second-view) Valeria is frightened by Dexter's fit but recovers her curiosity, boldly admitting she has a motive connected to the first Mrs. Macallan's death. ### [More of My Obstinacy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxvi-more-of-my-obstinacy) Valeria reads Eustace's letter and is moved to tears, but it strengthens her resolve to pursue her plan to clear his name. ### [Mr. Dexter at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxvii-mr-dexter-at-home) Visits Dexter's home, observes his paintings, and submits to his whims in hopes of gaining his confidence about Eustace's first wife. ### [XXVIII: In the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxviii-in-the-dark) Reveals her separation from Eustace and her resolve to vindicate his innocence, seeking Dexter's help despite his unsettling behavior. ### [XXIX: In the Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxix-in-the-light) Valeria presses Dexter on the trial, reveals her suspicion of Mrs. Beauly, and tries to gain his confidence. ### [The Indictment of Mrs. Beauly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxx-the-indictment-of-mrs-beauly) Valeria is intensely agitated and excited by Dexter's confirmation of her suspicions about Mrs. Beauly; she resolves to investigate further. ### [The Defense of Mrs. Beauly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxi-the-defense-of-mrs-beauly) Narrator recovering from her visit to Miserrimus Dexter; attends Major Fitz-David's dinner party and converses with Lady Clarinda about Mrs. Beauly. ### [A Specimen of My Wisdom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxii-a-specimen-of-my-wisdom) Reflects on her errors, resolves to seek Mr. Playmore's advice, and travels to Edinburgh with Benjamin. ### [A Specimen of My Folly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxiii-a-specimen-of-my-folly) Tells her story to Mr. Playmore without reserve, defends Dexter based on his apparent affection for the late Mrs. Macallan, and resists the lawyer's conclusion that Dexter is the poisoner. ### [Gleninch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxiv-gleninch) Determined to visit Gleninch despite warnings; reflects on her obstinacy and emotional response to the house. ### [Mr. Playmore’s Prophecy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxv-mr-playmore-s-prophecy) Returns to Benjamin's house and confronts Miserrimus Dexter with Lady Clarinda's news; she resists his attempts to revive suspicion against Mrs. Beauly and later has to defend herself from his unwanted advances. ### [Ariel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxvi-ariel) Passes a sleepless night after Dexter's insult, struggles with whether to continue associating with him, forgives him after Ariel's plea, and reexamines the trial report, discovering the significance of the missing key. ### [At the Bedside](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxvii-at-the-bedside) Discovers she is pregnant, which strengthens her resolve to clear Eustace's name. She resists Mrs. Macallan's pressure to abandon her quest and decides to make one more attempt to extract the truth from Miserrimus Dexter. ### [On the Journey Back](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxviii-on-the-journey-back) Narrates her journey back, experiencing guilt and doubt but ultimately resolving to pursue the truth. ### [On the Way to Dexter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxix-on-the-way-to-dexter) Determined to visit Miserrimus Dexter again despite Benjamin's objections; she plans to use a secret signaling system to have Benjamin take notes during the conversation. ### [Nemesis at Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xl-nemesis-at-last) Returns to confront Miserrimus Dexter, determined to uncover the mystery at Gleninch, but feels pity for his deteriorated state. ### [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) Writes to Mr. Playmore for help, reads Dexter's last words repeatedly, and impulsively decides to send an agent to America despite the cost. ### [XLII: More Surprises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xlii-more-surprises) Receives news from Mr. Playmore and Mrs. Macallan; struggles with the choice between reconciling with Eustace and continuing her investigation; writes evasive letters; visits her uncle Starkweather. ### [At Last!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xliii-at-last) Decides to sacrifice her investigation for her husband's tranquillity and travel to Paris. ### [Our New Honeymoon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xliv-our-new-honeymoon) Depressed but resolute after resigning her investigation; travels to London and Paris, reunites with Eustace, and reveals her pregnancy. ### [XLV: The Dust-Heap Disturbed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xlv-the-dust-heap-disturbed) Receives and reads Benjamin's letter, becomes agitated and alarmed by the discoveries. ### [XLVI: The Crisis Deferred](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xlvi-the-crisis-deferred) Struggles to hide her distress from Eustace and his mother; decides to appeal to Eustace's trust and promises to reveal the truth later. ### [XLVIII: What Else Could I Do?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xlviii-what-else-could-i-do) Burns the confession to protect Eustace, then struggles to maintain secrecy while asking for his trust. ### [Past and Future](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xlix-past-and-future) Reflects on past jealousies and decides to take responsibility for disclosing the confession to Eustace. ### [The Last of the Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/l-the-last-of-the-story) Narrates the chapter; waits anxiously with the sealed letter; places it under her baby's hand; feels relief when Eustace decides not to open it. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/endnotes) Referenced in the cross-note as the recipient of Dexter's secret betrayal. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/characters/valeria - 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