Mildred Melford

In the novel At Bertram's Hotel, Mrs Mildred Melford is the mother of Nancy and a cousin of Colonel Luscombe, and will host Elvira until she turns 21. She has daughters nearly the age of Elvira, and they live in Kent.

Elvira tells Colonel Luscombe that Mrs Melford is "rather a dear", but she later tells Bridget that Mrs Melford is "frightfully easy to deceive".

Elvira and Bridget arrange for Bridget to call Mrs Melford, and tell her that the dentist in London wants to see Elvira again, so Elvira will stay with Bridget and her mother for one night, instead of going back to the Melford's house in Kent. This is to give Elvira time to go to Ireland, to find some information. However, Mrs Melford becomes worried, thinking that there is something seriously wrong with Elvira's teeth, and calls Bridget's house to find out. Bridget's mother answers the phone, and tells her that Elvira is not staying there.

Elvira then calls Mrs Melford, telling her that she had to go to Wimbledon to see an old governess who was ill, and that she was very sorry.

After the death of Micky Gorman, Elvira believes that someone was trying to kill her. Chief Inspector Davy interviews several people in Elvira's circle, including Mrs Melford. He feels that the interview is "singularly unprofitable", because she is "incoherent, unbelieving and generally featherheaded".