Character guide

Leilah Verplank

major

Also known as Leilah, Verplank, Already Verplank, Roughly Verplank, Leilah Barouffska

A central figure whose marriages and identity drive much of the plot.

Violet Silverstairs

major

Also known as Violet, Silverstairs, The Silverstairs, Already Violet, Impatiently Violet, Amiably Silverstairs

A prominent socialite entangled in the intrigues of the Verplank circle.

Barouffski

major

Also known as Monsieur Barouffski, this Barouffski, le Comte Barouffski, Ragingly Barouffski, the latter Barouffski, Divorce Barouffski, The champagne Barouffski

A flamboyant count whose actions create scandal and conflict.

Howard Tempest

major

Also known as Tempest, Howard, Lord Howard Tempest, Lord Howard, the late Lord Howard

A lord with a mysterious past and ties to the Verplank family.

Aurelia

supporting

Also known as Delicately Aurelia, Maliciously Aurelia, Dreamily Aurelia

A woman of strong emotions and a key player in romantic entanglements.

Gulian

supporting

A mysterious figure whose presence unsettles the other characters.

De Fresnoy

supporting

Also known as de Fresnoy

A nobleman involved in the social machinations of the story.

Count Kasimiérz Barouffski

supporting

Also known as Barouffski, the Count Kasimiérz Barouffski, Count

The elder count, father or relative of the younger Barouffski.

D'Arcy

supporting

Also known as d'Arcy

A gentleman with a sharp wit and a role in the social drama.

Emmanuel

minor

Also known as Swiftly Emmanuel

A servant or attendant who observes the main events.

Mrs. Verplank

supporting

Also known as Verplank, the too charming Verplank, the deadly Verplank

The matriarch of the Verplank family, a formidable presence.

Lady Silverstairs

minor

The mother of Violet Silverstairs, a social arbiter.

Lord Buttercups

minor

Also known as Buttercups, Blankly Buttercups, Helplessly Buttercups, the flustered Buttercups

A bumbling aristocrat who provides comic relief.

Madame Barouffska

minor

Also known as a Madame Barouffska, whom I want you to meet, Madame la comtesse Barouffska, Barouffska, madame la comtesse Barouffska

The countess, wife of the elder Barouffski.

Tyszkiewicz

minor

Also known as Monsieur Tyszkiewicz

A Polish nobleman who appears in social gatherings.

Lord Silverstairs

minor

Also known as Silverstairs

The father of Violet, a quiet but influential lord.

The Master

minor

A mysterious authority figure referenced by servants.

Mme. de Fresnoy

minor

Also known as Mme, Mme . de Fresnoy, de Fresnoy

The wife of De Fresnoy, a society lady.

Palencia

minor

Also known as Pal - Palencia

A Spanish or Italian visitor with a brief role.

Baronne de Fresnoy

minor

Also known as the Baronne de Fresnoy, Baronne de Fresnoy, The young Baronne de Fresnoy, the young Baronne de Fresnoy, de Fresnoy

A young baroness, possibly a relative of De Fresnoy.

Marie de Fresnoy

minor

Also known as de Fresnoy, Marie

A young woman of the Fresnoy family.

Mme. de Joyeuse

minor

Also known as Mme, de Joyeuse, Mme . de Joyeuse, Mme .

A French noblewoman who hosts social events.

Camille de Joyeuse

minor

Also known as de Joyeuse

A young member of the Joyeuse family.

Madame Verplank

minor

Also known as Verplank

Another Verplank matriarch, possibly Leilah's mother.

Louis

minor

A servant or minor character in the household.

Prince Farnese

minor

Also known as Farnese

An Italian prince who appears briefly.

De Joyeuse

minor

Also known as Joyeuse

The patriarch of the Joyeuse family.

M. Verplank

minor

Also known as Verplank

A male member of the Verplank family.

The Helley-Quetgens

minor

Also known as The Helley - Quetgens

A family or couple mentioned in social circles.

Léopold

minor

A minor character, possibly a musician or artist.

Ernestine

minor

A maid or companion to one of the main ladies.

Hilda Hemingway

minor

Also known as Hemingway, Hilda

An Englishwoman who visits the social scene.

The Vidya

minor

A mysterious Eastern figure or concept referenced.

Baron de Fresnoy

minor

Also known as de Fresnoy

The baron of the Fresnoy family.

Miss Ogston

minor

A young woman who appears in a social context.

Matlack Ogston

minor

A male relative of Miss Ogston.

Apollonius

minor

A classical reference or minor character name.

Marguerite

minor

Also known as the Reine Margot

A historical figure referenced in conversation.

M. de Joyeuse

minor

Also known as de Joyeuse

A male member of the Joyeuse family.

Padapoulos

minor

A Greek character who appears briefly.

Madame la princesse Zubaroff

minor

Also known as Zubaroff

A Russian princess mentioned in society.

Parker

minor

A servant or butler in the household.