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Mrs. Michelson
Mr. Kyrle is the Fairlie’s family lawyer, who takes over the job when Mr. Gilmore becomes ill. Marian contacts Mr. Kyrle for help while she and Laura are at Blackwater, but her letters are intercepted by Count Fosco and his wife, Madame Fosco. Thus, Mr. Kyrle is unable to intervene in Sir Percival Glyde and the Count’s plot against Laura, in which they plan to switch her identity with that of Anne Catherick and lock her in an asylum in order to steal her fortune. After Laura has escaped the asylum, with Marian’s help, Walter Hartright—the young man who is in love with Laura and who compiles the evidence about the plot—approaches Mr. Kyrle with the information he has gathered for his case against Count Fosco and Sir Percival. Mr. Kyrle is a pragmatic man who frankly tells Walter that Walter cannot possibly afford to furnish a trial of this length and complexity. He does help Walter at the end of the novel, however, when Walter provides fresh evidence about the case, which is enough to legally restore Laura’s identity.
Mr. Kyrle Quotes in The Woman in White
The The Woman in White quotes below are all either spoken by Mr. Kyrle or refer to Mr. Kyrle. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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The Third Epoch: Part 1, Chapter 4 Quotes
‘There can be no doubt,’ I said, ‘that the facts, as you have stated them, appear to tell against us; but— ’ ‘But you think those facts can be explained away,’ interposed Mr. Kyrle. ‘Let me tell you the result of my experience on that point. When an English jury has to choose between a plain fact, on the surface, and a long explanation under the surface, it always takes the fact, in preference to the explanation.’
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The Third Epoch: Part 5, Chapter 1 Quotes
It was strange to look back and to see, now, that the poverty which had denied us all hope of assistance, had been the indirect means of our success, by forcing me to act for myself. If we had been rich enough to find legal help, what would have been the result? The gain (on Mr. Kyrle’s own showing) would have been more than doubtful; the loss – judging by the plain test of events as they had really happened – certain. The Law would never have obtained me my interview with Mrs. Catherick. The Law would never have made Pesca the means of forcing a confession from the Count.
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Mr. Kyrle Character Timeline in The Woman in White
The timeline below shows where the character Mr. Kyrle appears in The Woman in White. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
The Second Epoch: Part 1, Chapter 4
...borrow money in Laura’s name to pay Sir Percival’s debts. Marian decides to write to Mr. Kyrle —Mr. Gilmore’s replacement and their new lawyer—for advice, as he is the only trustworthy friend...
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...hatches a plan with Laura to ensure that they receive their answer and advice from Mr. Kyrle before Sir Percival can demand Laura’s signature again the next day. Marian attaches a note...
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The Second Epoch: Part 1, Chapter 6
...the road, who has been ordered to carry a letter to her from her solicitor, Mr. Kyrle , in London. Before she sets out, Marian ensures that Count Fosco is in his...
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...either side. The messenger pulls up on his way past and gives her the letter. Mr. Kyrle agrees that Laura should not sign the document produced by Sir Percival. He says it...
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The Second Epoch: Part 1, Chapter 7
Marian now tells Laura that she plans to write secretly to Mr. Kyrle and Mr. Fairlie for help. The bruises on Laura’s arms are evidence of mistreatment that...
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The Second Epoch: Part 1, Chapter 8
Once in her room, Marian writes her two letters—one to Mr. Kyrle and one to Mr. Fairlie—imploring them to help her and Laura out of their terrible...
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The Second Epoch: Part 2, Chapter 1
A few days later, Mr. Fairlie receives a concerned note from his lawyer, Mr. Kyrle , which says that the lawyer received an envelope addressed in Marian’s hand-writing but which...
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The Third Epoch: Part 1, Chapter 3
...some proof. He decides to begin compiling evidence and plans to take Laura’s case to Mr. Kyrle , the lawyer, for legal advice.
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...their take on events. With this evidence secured, Walter arranges an appointment with the lawyer, Mr. Kyrle , and sets out for Mr. Kyrle’s office. He warns Marian not to leave the...
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The Third Epoch: Part 1, Chapter 4
Walter arrives safely at the law firm and is shown into Mr. Kyrle ’s office. Mr. Kyrle listens amazedly to Walter’s case and at first seems not to...
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Mr. Kyrle makes it clear to Walter that, besides his lack of proof, there is too much...
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Mr. Kyrle thinks that a case may be possible if Walter can prove the date that Laura...
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...and certain that the lawyer does not believe his story, Walter makes to leave, and Mr. Kyrle asks if he will deliver a letter that he received for Marian. Walter takes the...
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...continue to uncover the truth for Laura; he will no longer rely on others, like Mr. Kyrle , but will “act for” himself.
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The Third Epoch: Part 3, Chapter 2
...shaken her and he promises that he has not forgotten the vow he made in Mr. Kyrle ’s office: that he will restore Laura’s identity and kill the men who are behind...
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The Third Epoch: Part 5, Chapter 1
...book from him and takes this, with Sir Percival’s letter and the Count’s manuscript, to Mr. Kyrle ’s office.
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Mr. Kyrle is astonished and, the next morning, he, Walter, Marian, Laura, and John Owen travel to...
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