The Nebuly Coat · Character

Miss Euphemia Joliffe

The gentle, old-fashioned Miss Joliffe, who thinks evil of no one and sets her own lack of tears down to a want of loving-kindness.

supporting

Also known as Miss Phemie, Euphemia Joliffe, Euphemia, Phemie

First appearance: i

As a supporting figure in The Nebuly Coat, Miss Euphemia Joliffe is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The landlady, a self-denying woman of sixty, who unpacks Westray's portmanteau and mends his clothes.

In the storyChapter IIOpen this moment free

Euphemia is a fixture of the Dorcas meetings, where she sews beautifully, wears her best whatever the season, and has few enemies even in a town where slander is a staple trade. She is foolish in the harmless way of the unworldly, and her memory of the old picture as nothing but flowers and a caterpillar is offered in perfect good faith. That innocent testimony becomes one of the story's most quietly devastating details, because it dates the secret without understanding it.

See Miss Euphemia Joliffe in Chapter II Book page

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Character Web

6 connections

A slice of how Miss Euphemia Joliffe sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Joliffe & Blandamer Circle
Protagonist
Cullerne Church & Clergy

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Westray reaches his emotional and psychological peak here as he confronts the full weight of his "repugnant bu…

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In the story

Miss Euphemia Joliffe appears across 13 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter II
The landlady, a self-denying woman of sixty, who unpacks Westray's portmanteau and mends his clothes.
Chapter III
Mentioned as working herself to death and considering selling household items; she is out when Westray rings.
Chapter V
Refuses to move the flower painting, citing sentimental and artistic value. She shows Westray the dealer's letter offering fifty pounds and explains the picture's history as her mother's work.
VII
Miss Joliffe returns from the Dorcas meeting and is overwhelmed to find Lord Blandamer in her house. She changes into her Sunday bonnet to greet him.
VIII
Narrates Lord Blandamer's visit with effusive praise; later wakes from a nap and speaks well of him.
Chapter XI
Worries that Martin Joliffe's papers will bring misfortune and regrets giving them to Sharnall.
XIV
Visits Westray to report Sharnall's absence; mentions Lord Blandamer's visit; goes to bed after Westray's reassurance.
Chapter XV
Anxious about Westray's cryptic talk of a holiday; concerned about losing a lodger and friend.
XVI
Miss Joliffe questions Anastasia about Westray's letter, feeling hurt by a perceived lack of confidence, and advises against correspondence.
Chapter XVII
Sacrifices her Dorcas meetings to guard the house, but feels the loss keenly; struggles to understand her niece.
XVIII
Miss Euphemia announces Anastasia's engagement to the pork-butcher's family, displaying a newfound confidence and teasing demeanor.
XX
Visits Westray to offer him the flower picture; she remains at Bellevue Lodge, supported by Anastasia's allowance.
Chapter XXI
Her memory of the flower picture covering the portrait spans sixty years.

Chapter companion notes

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See Miss Euphemia Joliffe in i

See Miss Euphemia Joliffe in Chapter II