# The Defense of Mrs. Beauly explained — The Law and the Lady

> Chapter companion for The Law and the Lady by Wilkie Collins.

## What happens

Valeria recovers from her unsettling visit to Miserrimus Dexter by resting at home with Benjamin. At Major Fitz-David's dinner party, she meets Lady Clarinda, who reveals that Mrs. Beauly is abroad and recounts an adventure involving a masked ball in Edinburgh, where Mrs. Beauly swapped places with her maid Phoebe to attend incognito.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrets and Deception

Mrs. Beauly's secret attendance at a masked ball by swapping places with her maid, and Valeria's hidden motives in seeking information.

### Class and Social Appearance

Lady Clarinda's description of Mrs. Beauly's unconventional behavior and the social risks of attending a disreputable ball.

## Character check-ins

### Valeria

Narrator recovering from her visit to Miserrimus Dexter; attends Major Fitz-David's dinner party and converses with Lady Clarinda about Mrs. Beauly.

### Benjamin

Cares for Valeria during her recovery, accompanies her to the dinner party, and feels out of place among the guests.

### Major Fitz-David

Hosts the dinner party, flirts with the ladies, and introduces Valeria as Mrs. Woodville.

### Lady Clarinda

Guest at the dinner party; tells Valeria about Mrs. Beauly's absence and her adventure in Scotland involving a masked ball.

### Mrs. Beauly

Discussed as being abroad at Hungarian baths; her maid Phoebe recounts her adventure at Gleninch involving a masked ball.

### Miserrimus Dexter

Mentioned as having spoken to Valeria about Mrs. Beauly; Lady Clarinda says he hates her and delights in mystifying people.

## Key lines

> Absolute rest was what I wanted, and (thanks to my good Benjamin) was what I got.

Valeria needed complete rest, and Benjamin ensured she received it.

_Valeria's recovery period after her visit to Miserrimus Dexter._

> She went to the dinner in the carriage from Gleninch, having sent Phoebe to Edinburgh before her.

Mrs. Beauly traveled to dinner from Gleninch, having previously sent her maid Phoebe to Edinburgh.

_Lady Clarinda recounts Mrs. Beauly's plan to attend a masked ball._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters/xxxi-the-defense-of-mrs-beauly
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_law_and_the_lady_se/chapters