Madame L'Espanaye is a fictional character from Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Murders in the Rue Morgue." She is depicted as a middle-aged woman who lives in Paris with her daughter, Camille L'Espanaye. The story revolves around the mysterious and brutal murder of both women in their home. In the narrative, Madame L'Espanaye is described as having a strong personality and a somewhat reclusive nature. Her death, along with her daughter's, serves as the central mystery that prompts the brilliant detective C. Auguste Dupin to investigate and ultimately solve the case.