# Muriel Lester — Years of Grace character guide > Muriel Lester in Years of Grace by Margaret Ayer Barnes. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Lester, Aunt Muriel **First appearance:** 0009-iii ## Who they are A dreamy, untidy society matron whose comfortable, gossipy household shows Jane a world both gayer and looser than her mother's. ## Relationships ### [Jane Ward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/jane_ward) _friendship_ Muriel Lester is a close friend of Jane, with a bond that includes mutual support and shared interests. ### [Isabel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/isabel) _friendship_ Isabel and Muriel Lester are friends who share a bond within Jane's wider social circle. ### [Robin Bridges](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/robin_bridges) _friendship_ Muriel Lester and Robin Bridges are friends who interact within the same social group as Jane. ### [Jane Ward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/jane_ward) _friendship_ Muriel Lester is a close friend of Jane, with a bond that includes mutual support and shared interests. ### [Isabel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/isabel) _friendship_ Isabel and Muriel Lester are friends who share a bond within Jane's wider social circle. ### [Jane Ward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/jane_ward) _friendship_ Muriel Lester is a close friend of Jane, with a bond that includes mutual support and shared interests. ### [Isabel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/isabel) _friendship_ Isabel and Muriel Lester are friends who share a bond within Jane's wider social circle. ### [Robin Bridges](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/robin_bridges) _friendship_ Muriel Lester and Robin Bridges are friends who interact within the same social group as Jane. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Jane's friend, from a wealthy family with a Jewish background; she teases Jane and has a real suit and Eton jacket. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Jane's friend, also sixteen, who questions Jane's desire for college and embodies the conventional path of beauty and marriage. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Hosts the party; coordinates the tally-ho ride; later asks Jane to keep the gondola sighting secret. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Muriel is the subject of gossip regarding her relationship with Bert Lancaster, and her reception is the event the family is preparing to attend. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Muriel is the hostess of the party, dressed in white lace and flirting with Mr. Bert Lancaster. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iii) A guest who changes her flowers, wears a blue satin dress, and dances with Bert Lancaster. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iv) Announces her engagement to Mr. Bert Lancaster, wearing a red suit and a large solitaire ring. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) The bride; marries Mr. Bert Lancaster. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as having written a letter of condolence to Flora; in the Canadian Rockies. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Teases Jane about Stephen's infatuation and advocates for the match. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iv) Muriel appears at the rink with Bert Lancaster, interrupting Jane and Stephen's skating, and shows a giggling, mischievous attitude. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Muriel, pregnant with a baby due in August, is helped to her feet by Mr. Bert Lancaster, prompting Jane's reflections on motherhood. ### [Part III: Jimmy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/part-iii-jimmy) Spreads gossip about Jane and Jimmy, fueling social tension. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as a married woman who collects infatuated young men. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Subject of gossip; her husband Bert has had a stroke, and she is rumored to be involved with Cyril Fortune. ### [Mrs. Lester's Seventy-Fifth Birthday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iv) Organizes the party, mentions inviting Jimmy Trent for Jane. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/v) Receives devoted attention from Jimmy at the party, competing with Cyril Fortune. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Gossiped about seeing Jane and Jimmy at De Jonche's, sparking the family discussion. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iii) Gossips about seeing Jane and Jimmy at De Jonche's, prompting Isabel's confrontation. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Frivolous and pretty, organizes the Red Cross circle, makes jokes about famine, and is proud of her son Albert in uniform. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as someone who will be consulted about the wedding plans. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iii) Mother of Albert, advocates for both marriages, logical and brisk, mentions her husband Bert's helpless condition. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/v) Friend, comments on bridesmaid duties and recalls past events. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/vi) Radiant under a new mauve hat, rests her arm on Mrs. Lester's wheelchair, and requested the Barcarolle. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as grieving her mother Mrs. Lester; described as a potentially dreadful mother-in-law who wants Belle to wear crepe. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/i) Announces her engagement to Ed Brown, causing surprise and discussion among the family. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/iii) Recently married Ed Brown, departs for a trip around the world, disconcerted by rice throwing. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/v) Mentioned as having given money to Albert during Uncle Bert's illness. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/v) Mentioned as being happily married to Ed Brown; Flora comments on her being a perfect wife. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/vii) Joins Jane and Stephen for lunch at the Ritz with Ed Brown. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/chapters/viii) Wears a striking black-and-white satin costume and chats with the young clergyman, using her charm to put him at ease. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters/muriel_lester - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/years_of_grace_se/characters