Character guide

Mr. Sylvester

major

Also known as Bertram, Bertram Sylvester, Sylvester, Mr. Bertram Sylvester

A central figure, often referred to as Bertram; his past and actions drive much of the plot.

Paula

major

Also known as Paula Fairchild, Little Paula, Miss Paula

A young woman at the heart of the story, often the focal point of the narrative and romantic tensions.

Jacqueline Japha

major

Also known as Jacqueline, Japha, Miss Jacqueline

A woman with a mysterious connection to the Japha family, central to the book's mystery.

Edward Sylvester

supporting

Also known as Edward, Miss Belinda, Belinda

A relative of Mr. Sylvester, often appearing alongside Miss Belinda; involved in family dynamics.

Mr. Stuyvesant

supporting

Also known as Stuyvesant

A gentleman whose parlors are a setting for key scenes; connected to Cicely.

Ona Delafield

supporting

Also known as Ona, Cousin Ona

A cousin of Paula, part of the family circle and involved in the domestic drama.

Mr. Ensign

supporting

Also known as Clarence Ensign, Clarence

A man with a connection to the Sylvester family, possibly a rival or friend.

Cicely Stuyvesant

supporting

Also known as Cicely

A young woman, likely related to Mr. Stuyvesant, with a role in the social circle.

Mrs. Sylvester

supporting

Also known as Pope Mrs. Sylvester

The wife of Mr. Sylvester, whose presence and actions affect the household.

Miss Stuyvesant

minor

Also known as XI Miss Stuyvesant

A member of the Stuyvesant family, possibly an older relative.

Colonel Japha

supporting

Also known as Byron, Colonel

A military man connected to the Japha family, possibly a father or guardian.

Mr. Roger Holt

minor

Also known as Roger, Roger Holt, Holt, Mr. Holt

A man with a name that appears in the narrative, possibly a suitor or acquaintance.

Mr. Mandeville

supporting

Also known as Bertram Mandeville, Mandeville, Bertram

A pianist, possibly a rival for Paula's affections or a friend of the family.

Mr. Preston

minor

Also known as Preston

A character with a name that appears, possibly a family member or acquaintance.

Robert Holt

minor

Also known as young Robert Holt, Mr. Robert Holt, Robert

A younger Holt, possibly a relative of Roger Holt, with a minor role.

Hamlet Hopgood

minor

Also known as Hamlet, Hopgood

A character with a literary name, possibly a servant or minor figure.

John Hopgood

minor

Also known as John, Hopgood

A member of the Hopgood family, possibly a servant or local figure.

Mrs. Hamlin

minor

Also known as Margery Hamlin, Margery

A woman with a name that appears, possibly a neighbor or acquaintance.

Mr. Gryce

minor

A detective or investigator, possibly involved in the mystery.

Fanning

minor

A character with a name that appears, possibly a servant or minor figure.

Miss Fairchild

minor

Also known as Miss Fairchild⁠

A relative of Paula, possibly an aunt or older sister.

Young Mandeville

minor

Also known as Young, Mandeville

A younger member of the Mandeville family, possibly a son or brother.

Aunt Belinda

minor

Also known as Belinda

An older relative, possibly of Paula or the Sylvesters, with a caring role.

Farrar

minor

A character with a name that appears, possibly a servant or minor figure.

Enguerrand

minor

Also known as young Enguerrand the valiant, fiery Enguerrand

A historical or literary figure mentioned, possibly in a story or allusion.

Sassard

minor

Also known as stern Sassard, cruel Sassard

A character from a story or allusion, possibly a villain.

Cummins

minor

Also known as The Man Cummins

A man whose name appears in a chapter title, possibly a key figure in a subplot.

Mr. Delafield

minor

Also known as Jacob Delafield

A member of the Delafield family, possibly Paula's father or uncle.

Sir Beaufort

minor

Also known as Beaufort

A character with a title, possibly a historical or literary reference.

Miss Abby

minor

Also known as Old Miss Abby

An older woman, possibly a spinster or relative, with a minor role.

Samuel

minor

Also known as Julius Caesar Samuel

A character with a name that appears, possibly a servant or minor figure.

Mr. Folger

minor

Also known as Folger, Besides Folger

A character with a name that appears, possibly a friend or acquaintance.

Martino

minor

Also known as Signior Martino

A character with an Italian name, possibly a musician or servant.

Damocles

minor

Also known as Damocles of old

The legendary figure from the title, referenced as a symbol.

Germain

minor

A character with a name that appears, possibly a servant or minor figure.

Mr. Turner

minor

A character with a name that appears, possibly a friend or acquaintance.

Constantia Maria

minor

A character with a formal name, possibly a historical or literary reference.

Mrs. Kirkshaw

minor

A woman with a name that appears, possibly a housekeeper or neighbor.

Mr. Williams

minor

A character with a common name, possibly a servant or minor figure.

Jessup

minor

Also known as Mr. Jessup

A character with a name that appears, possibly a servant or local figure.

Mrs. Smith

minor

A character with a common name, possibly a servant or minor figure.

Mrs. Fitzgerald

minor

A woman with a name that appears, possibly a friend or acquaintance.

Geraldine

minor

Also known as little Geraldine

A young girl, possibly a child in the story.

Mr. Wheelock

minor

Also known as Wheelock

A character with a name that appears, possibly a friend or acquaintance.

Mr. Phelps

minor

A character with a name that appears, possibly a friend or acquaintance.

Nita

minor

Also known as Nita Alack

A character with a name that appears, possibly a servant or minor figure.

Grotewell

minor

A character with a name that appears, possibly a place or family name.

Briggs

minor

A character with a name that appears, possibly a servant or minor figure.

Mrs. Fairchild

minor

A member of the Fairchild family, possibly Paula's mother or aunt.

Aunty

minor

Also known as aunty

An affectionate term for an older woman, possibly a relative.

Mighty Hugh

minor

Also known as Hugh the mighty

A historical or literary figure mentioned, possibly in a story.

Selby

minor

A character with a name that appears, possibly a place or family name.

Elsie

minor

A young girl, possibly a child in the story.

Thaddeus Stuyvesant

minor

A member of the Stuyvesant family, possibly a relative of Mr. Stuyvesant.

Hicks

minor

A character with a name that appears, possibly a servant or minor figure.

Mr. Harrington

minor

Also known as Harrington

A character who is absent but mentioned, possibly a friend or relative.