E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Deans (Effie),
in Scott’s Heart of Midlothian, is Helen Walker. She is abandoned by her lover, Geordie Robertson [Staunton], and condemned for child-murder.
1
Jeanie Deans. Half-sister of Effie Deans, who walks all the way to London to plead for her sister. She is a model of good sense, strong affection, and disinterested heroism. (See WALKER.)
2
“We follow Pilgrim through his progress with an interest not inferior to that with which we follow Elizabeth from Siberia to Moscow, and Jeanie Deans from Edinburgh to London.”—Lord Macaulay.
