Character guide

Vernon Deyre

major

Also known as Master Vernon, Lieutenant Vernon Deyre, Mrs. Vernon Deyre

A central character, a composer and soldier whose life and loves drive the plot.

Nell Vereker

major

Also known as Nell, Miss Nell, Adorable Nell

Vernon's first love and a pivotal figure in his early life.

Jane Harding

major

Also known as Jane, Poor Jane

A woman who becomes deeply entangled in Vernon's emotional world.

Sebastian Levinne

major

Also known as Levinne, Mr. Levinne, the great Sebastian Levinne

A composer and Vernon's mentor, a complex figure in the music world.

Joe Waite

supporting

Also known as Joe, dear Joe, the staunch Joe

Vernon's loyal friend and confidant from his youth.

George Green

supporting

Also known as Green, Book V George Green, II George Green

A soldier and friend of Vernon, central to the war sections.

Nurse Frances

supporting

Also known as Frances, old Nurse, Nurse Frances

A caring nurse who tends to characters during illness.

Uncle Sydney

supporting

Also known as Sydney, Syd, Bother Uncle Sydney

Vernon's eccentric and supportive uncle.

Myra Deyre

supporting

Also known as Myra, Aunt Myra

Vernon's mother, a strong influence on his upbringing.

Mr. Chetwynd

supporting

Also known as Chetwynd, George Chetwynd, Mr. George Chetwynd

A local gentleman and friend of the Deyre family.

Walter Deyre

supporting

Also known as Walter, III Walter Deyre

Vernon's father, a traditional country squire.

Mrs. Vereker

minor

Also known as III Mrs. Vereker

Nell's mother, a figure in the social circle.

Aunt Nina

minor

Also known as Annie, Nina, Pretty Aunt Nina

Vernon's lively and artistic aunt.

Freda

minor

Also known as Winnie, Fred, Poor Freda

A friend of the family with a tragic story.

Mrs. Levinne

minor

Also known as old Levinne, Funny fat old Mrs. Levinne

Sebastian Levinne's mother, a comedic presence.

Mr. Bleibner

minor

Also known as Bleibner, old Bleibner

A music publisher and acquaintance of Sebastian.

Herr Radmaager

minor

Also known as Radmaager

A German musician and colleague of Sebastian.

Reverend Mother

minor

Also known as Mother

The head of a convent where Jane stays.

Amelie King

minor

Also known as Amelie

A young woman who interacts with Vernon in London.

Isabel

minor

Also known as Susan, Susan Isabel

A friend of Jane's from her school days.

Mrs. Curtis

minor

Also known as old Curtis

A housekeeper or servant in the Deyre household.

Sister Margaret

minor

Also known as Sister

A nun at the convent hospital.

Sister Westhaven

minor

Also known as Sister

A nurse during the war sections.

Josephine

minor

Also known as Dearest Josephine

A friend or acquaintance of the main characters.

Father Cuthbert

minor

Also known as Father, handsome Father Cuthbert

A priest who appears in the narrative.

Carl Bowerman

minor

Also known as Bowerman

A fellow soldier and friend of George Green.

Mr. Hill

minor

A minor character, possibly a tutor or official.

Enid

minor

A young woman who appears in the social scenes.

Aunt Carrie

minor

Also known as Carrie

Another aunt of Vernon's, part of the family circle.

Mr. Bent

minor

Also known as Bent

A servant or employee in the Deyre household.

Solveig

minor

A character from the Peer Gynt opera, referenced in the story.

Dr. Coles

minor

A doctor who attends to characters in the novel.

Sister Carr

minor

Also known as little Carr

A nurse in the hospital scenes.

Boris Groen

minor

Also known as Groen

A foreign musician or acquaintance of Sebastian.

Mary Cardner

minor

Also known as Mary

A friend of Jane's from her past.

Poodle

minor

A pet dog belonging to one of the characters.

Mr. Flemming

minor

A minor character, possibly a business associate.

Phillis Deacon

minor

A young woman who appears in the social scenes.

Katie

minor

Also known as Kate

A servant or maid in the household.

Miss Robbins

minor

Also known as a Miss Robbins

A minor character, possibly a governess or visitor.

Miss Crabtree

minor

A teacher or schoolmistress.

Aunt Ethel

minor

Also known as Ethel

Another aunt of Vernon's, part of the extended family.

Anna Schlieder

minor

Also known as Anna

A German woman connected to the music world.

Colonel Anstey

minor

Also known as Anstey

A military officer and acquaintance of the family.

Sister Jenkins

minor

Also known as the monumental Sister Jenkins

A pessimistic nurse in the hospital.

Mrs. Somers West

minor

Also known as Mrs. Somers

A society woman who hosts gatherings.

Captain Vereker

minor

Nell's father, a military man.

Jack Horton

minor

Also known as Jack

A friend of Vernon's from his school days.

Corporal Green

minor

Also known as Corporal George Green

A soldier under George Green's command.

Mrs. Pascal

minor

A minor character, possibly a landlady or neighbor.

Dr. Bury

minor

A doctor who treats characters in the story.

Dr. Keen

minor

Also known as young Dr. Keen

A young doctor in the hospital.

Gladys Potts

minor

Also known as Gladys, Little Potts, Potts

A minor character, possibly a servant or child.

La Marre

minor

A French name mentioned in passing.

Catford

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant.

Sister Norris

minor

A nurse in the hospital.

Sam

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant.

Sir Charles Alington

minor

Also known as old Sir Charles Alington, Sir Charles

A local baronet and acquaintance of the Deyres.

Major Waite

minor

Joe Waite's father, a military man.

Old Jeffries

minor

Also known as Jeffries

A servant or old retainer in the household.

Major Dacre

minor

Also known as Dacre

A military officer in the war sections.

Boris Androv

minor

Also known as Androv

A Russian musician or acquaintance.

Mary Lloyd

minor

A minor character, possibly a friend of Jane's.

Dr. Meadows

minor

A doctor who appears in the narrative.

Evans

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or soldier.

Miss Harding

minor

A relative of Jane Harding.