# Mrs. Delahay — The Midnight Guest character guide > Mrs. Delahay in The Midnight Guest by Fred M. White. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Louis Delahay, Delahay, Mrs. Louis Delahay **First appearance:** 0001-ii-no-1-fitzjohn-square ## Snapshot A woman Walter has known intimately in Florence and Paris, Mrs. Delahay is now telling deliberate lies about where she was the night her husband died. ## Who they are Maria Delahay moves in the same polished circles as Ravenspur and Lance, and until the murder her reputation was spotless. Now she refuses to see Ravenspur, offers an alibi that collapses under a single question, and leaves Walter wondering whether she is shielding someone or hiding a guilt of her own. Her refusal to speak is the first crack in the case, and the reason Ravenspur cannot let the matter rest. ## Relationships ### [Walter Lance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/walter_lance) _friendship_ Mrs. Delahay is a confidante and ally to Walter Lance, offering support and information. ### [Lord Ravenspur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/lord_ravenspur) _social_ Lord Ravenspur and Mrs. Delahay have a polite but wary acquaintance, often at odds over household matters. ### [The Countess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/the_countess) _rivalry_ Mrs. Delahay and The Countess are in a tense rivalry, competing for status or influence in the household. ### [Inspector Dallas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/inspector_dallas) _professional_ Inspector Dallas questions or collaborates with Mrs. Delahay as part of his investigation. ### [Walter Lance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/walter_lance) _friendship_ Mrs. Delahay is a confidante and ally to Walter Lance, offering support and information. ### [Lord Ravenspur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/lord_ravenspur) _social_ Lord Ravenspur and Mrs. Delahay have a polite but wary acquaintance, often at odds over household matters. ### [Inspector Dallas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/inspector_dallas) _professional_ Inspector Dallas questions or collaborates with Mrs. Delahay as part of his investigation. ### [The Countess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/the_countess) _rivalry_ Mrs. Delahay and The Countess are in a tense rivalry, competing for status or influence in the household. ### [The Countess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/the_countess) _rivalry_ Mrs. Delahay and The Countess are in a tense rivalry, competing for status or influence in the household. ### [Walter Lance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/walter_lance) _friendship_ Mrs. Delahay is a confidante and ally to Walter Lance, offering support and information. ### [Lord Ravenspur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/lord_ravenspur) _social_ Lord Ravenspur and Mrs. Delahay have a polite but wary acquaintance, often at odds over household matters. ## In the story ### [I: At Whose Hand?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/i-at-whose-hand) The veiled widow who brings news of her husband's murder to Lord Ravenspur; she is in deep mourning and struggling to maintain composure. ### [No. 1 Fitzjohn Square](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/ii-no-1-fitzjohn-square) In a state of shock, she is given a sedative by a doctor at the Grand Hotel. ### [III: The Mark of the Beast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/iii-the-mark-of-the-beast) Mentioned as being in a fragile state, under medical care and unable to provide information. ### [VIII: The Mystery Deepens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/viii-the-mystery-deepens) Briefly appears at Valdo's dressing room door, startling Walter with her unexpected presence at the theatre. ### [IX: The Confidential Agent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/ix-the-confidential-agent) Gives evidence at the inquest, appearing pale and automaton-like; claims she found her husband's body and knows nothing more. ### [X: Ropes of Sand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/x-ropes-of-sand) Accused by witness Stevens of being with her husband at the time of the murder; she denies it but appears dazed and unresponsive. ### [The Express Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xi-the-express-letter) Refuses to see Ravenspur; her absence from the hotel on the night of the murder is confirmed. ### [XII: A Speaking Likeness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xii-a-speaking-likeness) Discussed as having told deliberate lies about her actions on the night of the murder; refuses to see Lord Ravenspur. ### [XV: Dallas Makes a Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xv-dallas-makes-a-discovery) Refuses to see Ravenspur, maintains her innocence regarding the murder, but declines to explain her whereabouts, citing pressing reasons for silence. ### [XVI: Strong Measures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xvi-strong-measures) Denies knowing Berti or the Flavio case; remains cold and impassive, echoing the Countess's behavior. ### [XVII: Looking Backwards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xvii-looking-backwards) Reveals her identity as Maria Descarti, her family feud with the Flavios, and her belief that her sister Carlotta is dead; later suspects her sister may be alive. ### [After Many Years](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xviii-after-many-years) Deceased husband of Maria; his murder is the central event discussed, and his wife is suspected of being responsible. ### [Carlotta's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xix-carlotta-s-story) Listens to the Countess's story and expresses shock at the revelation of a child. ### [Valdo in a New Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xx-valdo-in-a-new-light) Accompanies the Countess to confront Silva; learns of the Countess's meeting with her husband on the night of the murder. ### [XXI: To Be in Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xxi-to-be-in-time) Listens to Silva's story, follows him to Ravenspur's house, and warns Walter Lance of danger. ### [The Next Move](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xxiii-the-next-move) Denies being Carlotta Flavio, admits her maiden name is Descarti, and explains her sister Carlotta was the Countess. ### [XXIV: A Blood Relation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xxiv-a-blood-relation) Arrives in distress to warn Ravenspur about Silva; reveals her connection to Vera and her sister. ### [Bred in the Bone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xxv-bred-in-the-bone) Mentioned in connection with the murder of her husband; Walter initially mistakes her for the woman with Silva. ### [XXVI: A Faithful Servant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xxvi-a-faithful-servant) Is informed of the incident by Walter and leaves the house in a cab. ### [The Story of a Crime](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xliv-the-story-of-a-crime) Listens to Walter's story, breaks down in tears, and agrees to go to Cannon Green to see her sister. ### [Count Flavio's Diary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xlv-count-flavio-s-diary) Present in the drawing-room with the Countess and Vera; her husband's murderer is revealed. ### [A Woman's Heart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xlvi-a-woman-s-heart) Referred to as Maria Descarti, the Countess's sister; her likeness to the Countess was used by Silva to create an alibi, and she later married Louis Delahay. ### [XLVII: The Passing of the Vengeance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/chapters/xlvii-the-passing-of-the-vengeance) Mentioned as recovering her health and strength. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters/mrs_delahay - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_midnight_guest_se/characters