# Miss Euphemia Joliffe — The Nebuly Coat character guide

> Miss Euphemia Joliffe in The Nebuly Coat by John Meade Falkner.

**Role:** supporting

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

**First appearance:** 0001-i

## Snapshot

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.

## Who they are

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.

## In the story

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nebuly_coat_se/chapters/ii)

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

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nebuly_coat_se/chapters/iii)

Mentioned as working herself to death and considering selling household items; she is out when Westray rings.

### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nebuly_coat_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nebuly_coat_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nebuly_coat_se/chapters/viii)

Narrates Lord Blandamer's visit with effusive praise; later wakes from a nap and speaks well of him.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nebuly_coat_se/chapters/xi)

Worries that Martin Joliffe's papers will bring misfortune and regrets giving them to Sharnall.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nebuly_coat_se/chapters/xiv)

Visits Westray to report Sharnall's absence; mentions Lord Blandamer's visit; goes to bed after Westray's reassurance.

### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nebuly_coat_se/chapters/xv)

Anxious about Westray's cryptic talk of a holiday; concerned about losing a lodger and friend.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nebuly_coat_se/chapters/xvi)

Miss Joliffe questions Anastasia about Westray's letter, feeling hurt by a perceived lack of confidence, and advises against correspondence.

### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nebuly_coat_se/chapters/xvii)

Sacrifices her Dorcas meetings to guard the house, but feels the loss keenly; struggles to understand her niece.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nebuly_coat_se/chapters/xviii)

Miss Euphemia announces Anastasia's engagement to the pork-butcher's family, displaying a newfound confidence and teasing demeanor.

### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nebuly_coat_se/chapters/xx)

Visits Westray to offer him the flower picture; she remains at Bellevue Lodge, supported by Anastasia's allowance.

### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nebuly_coat_se/chapters/xxi)

Her memory of the flower picture covering the portrait spans sixty years.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nebuly_coat_se/characters/miss_euphemia_joliffe
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nebuly_coat_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_nebuly_coat_se/characters