Character guide

Laura Malcolm

major

Also known as Laura, Laura Treverton, Treverton, Malcolm, Poor Laura, Darling Laura, Miss Laura

The heroine, a young woman caught in a web of family secrets and romantic entanglements.

George Gerard

major

Also known as George Gerard John Treverton, Gerard, George

A mysterious figure with a hidden identity, central to the plot's twists.

John Treverton

major

Also known as Mr. Treverton, John, young Mr. Treverton, old John Treverton

The heir presumptive, whose marriage and fate drive much of the story.

Celia Clare

major

Also known as Celia, Celia Clare, Clare, the lively Celia, Dear Celia

A spirited young woman, Laura's friend and rival in love.

Edward Clare

supporting

Also known as Mr. Clare, Edward Clare, Ned, Ted, Poor Edward, Dear Ned

Celia's brother, a gentleman with a keen interest in the Treverton affairs.

Mr. Desrolles

major

Also known as Desrolles, this Desrolles

A secretive and menacing Frenchman involved in the central mystery.

Chicot

supporting

Also known as Jack Chicot, Jack, Johnny, la belle Chicot, John Chicot

A flamboyant and cunning character, often at odds with the law.

La Chicot

supporting

Also known as Chicot, the suspected Chicot, Madame Chicot, Mademoiselle Chicot

A mysterious woman linked to the Chicot family, with her own agenda.

Mr. Sampson

supporting

Also known as a Mr. Sampson, Sampson, the faithful Sampson

A loyal family servant and confidant to the Trevertons.

Gerard

supporting

Also known as Mr. Gerard, poor Gerard

A troubled man with a past, connected to the Gerard family line.

Mrs. Evitt

supporting

Also known as Mrs., Evitt, Jane Sophia Evitt

A gossipy and meddlesome woman who reveals crucial secrets.

Mrs. Treverton

supporting

Also known as poor Mrs. Treverton, Treverton

John Treverton's mother, a figure of tragedy and hidden knowledge.

Miss Malcolm

minor

Also known as Malcolm

Laura's aunt or relative, a stern presence in her life.

Thomas Sampson

minor

Also known as Tom, Tom Sampson, Thomas, Tommy, Honest Tom Sampson

A younger Sampson, often involved in the action.

Jasper Treverton

minor

Also known as old Jasper Treverton, Jasper, old Treverton

The deceased patriarch whose will sets the plot in motion.

Mr. Leopold

minor

Also known as Leopold

A lawyer or investigator who asks probing questions.

Eliza Sampson

minor

Also known as Eliza, Lizzie

A member of the Sampson family, possibly a servant.

Mrs. Rawber

minor

A minor character, possibly a housekeeper or neighbor.

Mr. Smolendo

minor

Also known as Smolendo, Poor Mr. Smolendo

A hapless individual who meets a bad end.

Trimmer

minor

Also known as Mrs. Trimmer, Mr. Trimmer, Andrew Trimmer

A family of servants or tradespeople in the village.

Mr. Mosheh

minor

A mysterious figure, possibly a moneylender or dealer.

Stephen Malcolm

minor

Also known as Stephen, Malcolm, Mr. Malcolm, Poor Stephen

Laura's brother, a young man with a troubled past.

Miss Sampson

minor

Also known as Sampson, Poor Miss Sampson

A female member of the Sampson family.

Mary

minor

Also known as Mariette, Mary Ann

A servant or minor character, possibly French.

Miss Clare

minor

A relative of Edward and Celia Clare.

Kergariou

minor

Also known as Jean Kergariou, Jean

A Frenchman with a connection to the Desrolles affair.

Marie Kergariou

minor

Also known as Marie

Kergariou's wife, a woman with a secret.

Mrs. Clare

minor

Also known as good Mrs. Clare

Mother of Edward and Celia Clare.

Jemima

minor

A servant or companion in the household.

Zaïre Chicot

minor

Also known as Zaïre, the missing Chicot

A missing member of the Chicot family.

Lady Barker

minor

Also known as the Dowager Lady Barker

A titled lady, possibly a neighbor or relative.

Mrs. Malcolm

minor

Also known as Malcolm

Laura's mother, a background figure.

Joseph Lemuel

minor

Also known as Lemuel, Mr. Lemuel

A lawyer or man of business.

Father le Mescam

minor

A priest involved in the French storyline.

Marie Pomellec

minor

Also known as Marie

A French woman, possibly a servant or witness.

Captain Desmond

minor

A military man, possibly a suitor or friend.

Joe Latimer

minor

Also known as Latimer, Joe

A minor character, possibly a servant or local.

Colonel Mansfield

minor

Also known as Mansfield, Mr. Mansfield

A retired officer and local gentleman.

Fry

minor

Also known as Miss Fry

A female servant or companion.

Jack Frost

minor

Also known as Jack

A nickname for a cold or aloof character.

Mrs. Siddons

minor

A famous actress mentioned as a cultural reference.

Sir John Pelham

minor

A baronet or gentleman of standing.

Mr. Palby

minor

A minor official or tradesman.

Mrs. Mason

minor

A housekeeper or landlady.

Sir Joshua Parker

minor

Also known as Sir Joshua

A local magistrate or dignitary.

Lady Parker

minor

Wife of Sir Joshua Parker.

Old Pulsby

minor

Also known as old Pulsby

An elderly local character.

Hazlehurst

minor

A surname mentioned in passing.

Mrs. Bitters

minor

A minor character, possibly a nurse or servant.

Swinburne

minor

Also known as Mr. Swinburne

A poet or literary figure referenced.

Queen Elizabeth

minor

Also known as Eliza, Queen

Historical figure mentioned in passing.

Harry Brown

minor

Also known as Brown

A minor character, possibly a servant.

Mrs. Brown

minor

Wife of Harry Brown.

Mr. Stanley

minor

A minor character, possibly a visitor.

Anne of Auray

minor

Also known as Auray

Historical figure referenced in the French plot.

Old Dr. Dewsnipp

minor

Also known as young Dewsnipp

A doctor and his son, minor characters.

Colonel Mowbray

minor

Also known as Mowbray

A military man, possibly a friend of the family.