Character guide

Reinhold Schmidt

major

Also known as Reinhold, Lieutenant Reinhold Schmidt, Herr Reinhold Schmidt

A young lieutenant and central protagonist, torn between love and duty.

Elsa von Werben

major

Also known as Elsa, Fräulein von Werben, Fräulein Elsa von Werben

The beautiful and spirited daughter of the von Werben family, Reinhold's love interest.

Ottomar von Werben

major

Also known as Ottomar, Werben, Lieutenant von Werben

Elsa's brother, a proud and impulsive young officer.

The General

supporting

Also known as the General, The General

A high-ranking military figure, likely the father of Elsa and Ottomar.

Signor Giraldi

supporting

Also known as Gregorio Giraldi, Giraldi, Signor Gregorio Giraldi

An Italian singer and mysterious figure with a past connected to the Werbens.

Ferdinanda Schmidt

supporting

Also known as Ferdinanda, Fräulein Ferdinanda Schmidt, Fräulein Schmidt

Reinhold's sister, a kind and gentle young woman.

Uncle Ernst

supporting

Also known as Ernst, little Ernst, Uncle Ernst bareheaded

Reinhold and Ferdinanda's uncle, a warm-hearted and eccentric relative.

Carla von Wallbach

supporting

Also known as Carla, Fräulein von Wallbach, Fräulein Carla, Wallbach

A lively and flirtatious young woman, friend of Elsa.

Meta von Strummin

supporting

Also known as Meta, IX The, Meta von Strummin, dear Meta

A friend of the von Werben family, often involved in social gatherings.

Herr Philip Schmidt

supporting

Also known as Philip, Herr Philip Schmidt, Philip Schmidt

Reinhold's father, a stern and principled man.

Justus Anders

supporting

Also known as Justus, Herr Anders, Justus Anders, Anders

A friend and confidant of Reinhold, a thoughtful and loyal companion.

Cilli

supporting

Also known as Fräulein Cilli, Dear little Cilli, dear blind Cilli

A blind young woman, gentle and perceptive, cared for by the community.

Signor Antonio

minor

Also known as Antonio, Monsieur Antonio

An Italian musician and associate of Giraldi.

Count Golm

supporting

Also known as Count von Golm, Count, Golm, von Golm

A nobleman and rival for Elsa's affections, wealthy and arrogant.

Aunt Rikchen

minor

Also known as Rikchen, good Aunt Rikchen

A kindly older relative of the Schmidt family.

Baroness Valerie Warnow

supporting

Also known as the Baroness Warnow, Baroness Valerie von Warnow, Valerie, Warnow

A mysterious and sophisticated noblewoman with a hidden agenda.

Frau Louisa von Wallbach

minor

Also known as Frau von Wallbach, Louisa, Wallbach

Carla's mother, a good-natured but somewhat scatterbrained woman.

Captain von Schönau

minor

Also known as Schönau, Captain Schönau

A fellow officer and friend of Reinhold.

Bertalda

minor

Also known as Dear Bertalda, Fräulein Bertalda

A young woman in the social circle, possibly a friend of Elsa.

Aunt Sidonie

minor

Also known as Sidonie

An older relative of the von Werben family, often offering advice.

Herr von Wallbach

minor

Also known as Wallbach, the horrified Wallbach

Carla's father, a somewhat flustered and conventional gentleman.

Grollmann

minor

Also known as Old Grollmann, Dear Grollmann, old Grollmann

An old family retainer or friend, gruff but loyal.

Hugo Lübbener

minor

Also known as Lübbener, Herr Hugo Lübbener, Herr Lübbener, Hugo

A friend of Reinhold, possibly a fellow officer.

Herr von Strummin

minor

Also known as Strummin

Meta's father, a local landowner.

François

minor

A French servant or valet in the von Werben household.

Herr von Werben

supporting

Also known as Von Werben, Young Herr von Werben, The haughty Herr von Werben

The proud and stern father of Elsa and Ottomar.

Princess Heinrich August

minor

Also known as August, the Princess Heinrich August

A visiting royal figure, adding social tension to the story.

Frau Pölitz

minor

Also known as dear Frau Pölitz, Frau, Pölitz, the worthy Pölitz

A local woman, possibly a housekeeper or innkeeper.

Old Baroness Kniebreche

minor

Also known as Baroness Kniebreche, old Kniebreche, Old Baroness Kniebreche

An elderly, eccentric noblewoman with a sharp tongue.

Captain Schmidt

minor

Also known as Schmidt

A military officer, possibly a relative of Reinhold.

Antonio Michele

minor

Also known as Antonio, Michele, the divine Antonio

A celebrated Italian singer, admired by the characters.

General von Werben

minor

Also known as General, General Werben, a General von Werben

The General of the von Werben family, a military patriarch.

Fräulein Sidonie von Werben

minor

Also known as Sidonie, Sidonie de Werben, Fräulein Sidonie von Werben

A younger relative of the von Werbens, possibly Elsa's cousin.

Councillor Schieler

minor

Also known as Schieler, The Councillor, solicitor Councillor Schieler

A legal advisor involved in family affairs.

Papa Kreisel

minor

Also known as papa, Papa, Kreisel, old Kreisel

An older gentleman, possibly a family friend or relative.

Edward Lasker

minor

Also known as Edward, Lasker

A historical figure mentioned in passing, possibly a politician.

Herr Norberg

minor

Also known as Norberg, the prudent Norberg

A cautious and practical acquaintance.

Herr Damberg

minor

A minor character, possibly a merchant or official.

Colonel von Bohl

minor

Also known as Colonel, The Colonel

A senior military officer, a figure of authority.

Cesare

minor

An Italian servant or associate of Giraldi.

Friedrich Spielhagen

minor

Also known as Friedrich

The author himself, possibly appearing as a narrator or character.

Baroness von Holzweg

minor

Also known as the Baroness, Baroness Holzweg

A noblewoman, possibly a friend of the von Werbens.

Prince Bismarck

minor

Also known as Bismarck

The historical Chancellor, mentioned in political discussions.

Frau Rickmann

minor

A local woman, possibly a housekeeper or neighbor.

Herr Müller

minor

Also known as Müller

A minor character, possibly a tradesman or official.

Johann Brand

minor

Also known as Johann

A servant or worker in the household.

Prince Clemda

minor

Also known as Clemda, That young Prince Clemda

A young prince, a minor noble character.

Richard Wagner

minor

Also known as Wagner

The composer, mentioned in discussions of music and art.

Fräulein Victorine

minor

Also known as Victorine

A young woman in the social circle.

Herr Kreisel

minor

A minor character, possibly related to Papa Kreisel.

Fräulein von Strummin

minor

A relative of Meta von Strummin.

Lazzaro Cecutti

minor

Also known as Lazzaro

An Italian character, possibly a musician or servant.

Herr Pölitz

minor

The husband of Frau Pölitz.

Rike

minor

A servant girl in the household.

Lesto

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or local.

Bunzel

minor

Also known as friend Bunzel

A friend of one of the main characters.

Colonel Sattelstädt

minor

Also known as Sattelstädt, Colonel von Sattelstädt

A military officer, a figure of minor authority.

Young Grieben

minor

Also known as Grieben

A young officer of the Hussars, a minor suitor.

Frau von Strummin

minor

Meta's mother.

Von Wartenberg

minor

Also known as Wartenberg, von Wartenberg

A minor nobleman mentioned in the story.

Carl Peters

minor

Also known as little Carl, Carl

A young boy, possibly a relative or servant.

Isaac Lobstein

minor

Also known as Herr Isaac Lobstein

A Jewish merchant or moneylender.

Anton Baier

minor

Also known as Anton

A minor character, possibly a servant or worker.

Valerie von Werben

minor

Also known as Valerie, von Werben

A relative of the von Werben family.

Lieutenant von Tettritz

minor

Also known as Tettritz

A young officer, a minor character.

Emilie von Fischbach

minor

Also known as Emilie Fischbach, Fräulein Emilie von Fischbach

A young woman in the social circle.

Madame la Duchesse de Rosambert

minor

Also known as Madame

A French noblewoman, a visiting character.

Old Barbara Cecutti

minor

Also known as Barbara Cecutti, Barbara

An elderly Italian woman, possibly a servant.

Frau von Pusterhausen

minor

A minor noblewoman mentioned in passing.

Herr von Walbach

minor

A variant spelling of Herr von Wallbach.

Andreas Achenbach

minor

A historical painter, mentioned as an allusion.

The Panaris

minor

Also known as the Panaris

A family or group of Italian performers.

Agnes Holzweg

minor

Also known as Agnes

A young woman, possibly a friend of the von Werbens.

Haselow

minor

A minor character, possibly a local official.

Herr von Bohl

minor

A relative of Colonel von Bohl.

Signora Frederica

minor

Also known as Signora

An Italian woman, possibly a singer or performer.

President von Sanden

minor

A local president or official.

Prince Prora

minor

A minor prince, possibly a visitor.

Signor Roller

minor

Also known as Roller

An Italian performer or musician.

Madame Veitel

minor

A minor female character, possibly a shopkeeper.