Character guide

Magdalen Vanstone

major

Also known as Miss Vanstone, Miss Magdalen, the younger Miss Vanstone, Offer Miss Vanstone

The determined younger daughter of the Vanstone family, who schemes to reclaim her inheritance.

Norah Vanstone

major

Also known as Norah, the sedate Norah, Norah Bartram

Magdalen's older, more cautious sister, who eventually marries George Bartram.

Mrs. Lecount

major

Also known as Lecount, Virginie Lecount, Madame Virginie Lecompte

Noel Vanstone's cunning and loyal housekeeper, who opposes Magdalen's schemes.

Noel Vanstone

major

Also known as Mr. Noel Vanstone, Vanstone, Mr. N. V.

The sickly, wealthy cousin of the Vanstone sisters, who inherits the family fortune.

Captain Wragge

major

Also known as Wragge, the wary Wragge, Horatio Wragge, Horace

A charming, unscrupulous swindler who becomes Magdalen's ally and mentor.

Miss Garth

supporting

Also known as the plainspoken Miss Garth, Garth, Harriet Garth

The devoted governess to the Vanstone sisters, who remains a steadfast friend.

Mr. Pendril

supporting

Also known as Pendril, William Pendril

The family solicitor who handles the Vanstone estate and advises the sisters.

George Bartram

supporting

Also known as Mr. George Bartram, Mr. Bartram, George, Master George

The kind-hearted nephew of Admiral Bartram, who falls in love with Norah.

Admiral Bartram

supporting

Also known as Arthur, Arthur Everard Bartram, Dear Admiral Bartram

The eccentric uncle of George Bartram and owner of St. Crux mansion.

Mrs. Wragge

supporting

Also known as the impenetrable Wragge, poor Mrs. Wragge, Matilda

Captain Wragge's simple-minded, good-natured wife, who aids Magdalen unknowingly.

Frank Clare

supporting

Also known as Mr. Francis Clare, Frank, Francis Clare

Magdalen's former fiancé, a weak-willed man who abandons her for a career in Canada.

Michael Vanstone

minor

Also known as Mr. Andrew Vanstone, Michael, the late Mr. Vanstone

The deceased father of Magdalen and Norah, whose secret marriage causes the inheritance crisis.

Andrew Vanstone

minor

Also known as Andrew, Mr. Vanstone, Andrew Vanstone

The late Mr. Vanstone's brother, who inherits the estate and dies shortly after.

Mrs. Vanstone

minor

Also known as Mrs. Vanstone

The mother of Magdalen and Norah, who dies early in the story.

Mr. Bygrave

minor

Also known as Bygrave, wily Mr. Bygrave, Thomas Bygrave, Thomas

An alias used by Captain Wragge during his schemes with Magdalen.

Miss Bygrave

minor

Also known as the beautiful Miss Bygrave, this Miss Bygrave, the false Miss Bygrave

An alias used by Magdalen when posing as Captain Wragge's niece.

John Loscombe

minor

Also known as Mr. John Loscombe, Mr. Loscombe

A solicitor who represents Magdalen in her legal battles.

Mrs. Drake

minor

Also known as IV From Mrs. Drake

The housekeeper at St. Crux, loyal to Admiral Bartram.

Old Mazey

minor

Also known as Mazey, Mr. Mazey

An old sailor and friend of Admiral Bartram, who assists George.

Captain Kirke

minor

Also known as Mr. Kirke, Kirke, Uncle Kirke

A sea captain who becomes a friend and later husband to Magdalen.

Louisa

minor

Also known as The meek and melancholy Louisa, The discreet Louisa

A maid in the Vanstone household, later employed by Mrs. Lecount.

Mr. Huxtable

minor

Also known as Huxtable

A local tradesman and friend of the Vanstone family.

Miss Marrable

minor

Also known as Mrs. Marrable

A neighbor and acquaintance of the Vanstone sisters.

Mr. Merrick

minor

A doctor who attends to Noel Vanstone during his illness.

Aaron

minor

A servant in the Vanstone household.

Julia

minor

Also known as the sentimental Julia

A friend of Magdalen's from her school days.

Robert

minor

A servant at the Vanstone estate.

Alfred de Bleriot

minor

Also known as Mr. de Bleriot

A general agent in London employed by Mrs. Lecount.

Mrs. Attwood

minor

A landlady who provides lodging to Magdalen.

Miss Blake

minor

A friend of Norah's who appears briefly.

Brutus

minor

A dog owned by Captain Wragge.

Joyce

minor

A servant at St. Crux.

Jack

minor

A minor character mentioned in passing.

Cassius

minor

Another dog owned by Captain Wragge.

Allonby

minor

A friend of Frank Clare's who appears briefly.

Falkland

minor

A historical figure mentioned in the narrative.

Lizzie

minor

A servant in the Wragge household.

Sophia Drake

minor

A relative of Mrs. Drake who appears briefly.

Mrs. Girdlestone

minor

Also known as Poor Mrs. Girdlestone

A neighbor of the Vanstones who dies early in the story.

Abraham Bulmer

minor

Also known as Sergeant Bulmer

A detective sergeant who investigates the Vanstone case.

Dawkes

minor

A servant at the Vanstone estate.

Matilda Wragge

minor

Also known as matilda wragge

Captain Wragge's mother, mentioned in passing.

Lydia

minor

Also known as Miss Lydia Languish

A character from a play referenced in the story.

Professor Lecompte

minor

Also known as Zurich, Professor Lecompte

A professor from Zurich, mentioned in relation to Mrs. Lecount.

Snap

minor

A dog owned by the Wragges.

Selina

minor

A servant in the Vanstone household.

Major Kirke

minor

Captain Kirke's brother, mentioned briefly.

Charles Mathews

minor

Also known as Mathews

An actor mentioned in the narrative.

Miss Brock

minor

A friend of the Vanstone sisters.

Nagle

minor

A servant at St. Crux.

Mrs. Ruddock

minor

A lodging-house keeper who provides information to Mr. Loscombe.