Lapidoth, otherwise Cohen

Mirah and Mordecai's unscrupulous father; an actor who called his family Lapidoth, a name of his Polish forefathers. "Once a handsome face, with bright colour, it was now sallow and deep-lined, and had that peculiar impress of impudent suavity which comes from courting favour while accepting disrespect. He was lightly made and active, with something of youth about him which made the signs of age seem a disguise; and in reality he was hardly fifty seven." He had deserted his wife and son, and taken Mirah to America with him when she was a small child. Later they returned to Europe, and he urged his daughter to accept the dishonourable attentions of the Count, causing her to flee from him in fear. After Mirah is settled in London with her brother, he finds them there, and while staying with them steals Daniel Deronda's diamond ring and disappears.

<em>Daniel Deronda</em>

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