# Jervis Lexton — The Story of Ivy character guide

> Jervis Lexton in The Story of Ivy by Marie Belloc Lowndes.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Mr. Lexton, Jervis Lexton, poor Mr. Lexton, poor Jervis, Mr. Jervis Lexton

**First appearance:** 0000-prologue

## Snapshot

Ivy's husband, a genial, hopeless waster whose magnificent health and slow, grim fight for life hold the whole household in suspense.

## Who they are

Jervis Lexton comes of sporting country squires and has the hard-bitten constitution to match, which is why his week-long illness drags on so intolerably for everyone around him. Businessmen have long since written him off as useless, but his easy manners and endless fund of stories make him a pet of Miles Rushworth, and his job exists only on that favour. His stubborn grip on life is the obstacle Ivy cannot argue with, and the quiet centre around which the household's anxieties turn.

## In the story

### [Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/prologue)

Ivy's husband; described as a 'good sort' who has lost much of his fortune due to Ivy's spending, and is seeking employment through Miles Rushworth.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/i)

Ivy's husband, still asleep in the back bedroom; idle, easy-natured, well-bred; the couple is nearly penniless after starting with sixty-eight thousand pounds.

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

Ivy's unsuspecting husband, financially desperate but reluctant to leave London.

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

Ivy's husband, described as worthless, extravagant, and idle by Rushworth; present on the yacht but largely in the background.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/iv)

Mentioned as Ivy's husband, noted for his lack of punctuality and being a 'poor fool'.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/v)

Returns home late, drinks the poisoned highball Ivy prepares, and falls ill overnight.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/vi)

Ill for over a week, fighting for life; welcomes Gretorex's visit; weak but cheerful; calls Ivy 'darling' and is called 'dear old boy'.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/vii)

Jervis is the dying husband, described as patient and good-humored despite his pain. He dies during the chapter after a sudden turn for the worse.

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

Jervis is the deceased husband, whose sudden and mysterious death prompts the postmortem. He is mentioned as having been in Rushworth's employment and having quarreled with his lawyer.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/ix)

Jervis is reported to have died suddenly, possibly from poison, prompting police inquiries.

### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/x)

Deceased; death due to arsenic, suspected murder.

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

Deceased; his poisoning is the central mystery discussed; described as a wastrel who lived on friends.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/xii)

Deceased; his final afternoon with Ivy is a focal point of Orpington's inquiry.

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

The victim of the murder, referred to as having been slowly poisoned by his friend.

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

Mentioned by Ivy as being forgotten; his mysterious death is the subject of the trial.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/xxii)

Deceased husband of Ivy; his death by poison is the subject of the impending arrest.

### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/epilogue)

Jervis's death is the catalyst for Ivy's actions; his passing is referenced as the morning she disposed of the 'stuff' from the bolster bag.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/characters/jervis_lexton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/characters