Jane Harding

Vernon Deyre

Jane is Vernon's wife, a complex marriage marked by devotion, misunderstanding, and artistic tension.

Nell Vereker

Jane and Nell are rivals for Vernon's love and artistic inspiration, with deep mutual resentment.

Sebastian Levinne

Jane and Sebastian share a warm, supportive friendship, often united in their concern for Vernon.

George Green

George and Jane are friendly acquaintances, connected through their relationships with Nell and Vernon.

Vernon Deyre

Jane is Vernon's wife, a complex marriage marked by devotion, misunderstanding, and artistic tension.

Sebastian Levinne

Jane and Sebastian share a warm, supportive friendship, often united in their concern for Vernon.

Nell Vereker

Jane and Nell are rivals for Vernon's love and artistic inspiration, with deep mutual resentment.

Nell Vereker

Jane and Nell are rivals for Vernon's love and artistic inspiration, with deep mutual resentment.

Sebastian Levinne

Jane and Sebastian share a warm, supportive friendship, often united in their concern for Vernon.

Vernon Deyre

Jane is Vernon's wife, a complex marriage marked by devotion, misunderstanding, and artistic tension.

George Green

George and Jane are friendly acquaintances, connected through their relationships with Nell and Vernon.

George Green

George and Jane are friendly acquaintances, connected through their relationships with Nell and Vernon.

Book II: Nell

Nell's music teacher, a talented singer who inspires Nell and represents the world of art and sacrifice.

I

A singer with a beautiful voice and green eyes; she reminds Vernon of his childhood nurse, Frances, and she sings at Sebastian's party.

Book III: Jane

Central focus of the chapter; her character and history are explored.

I

Hosts Sebastian in her Chelsea flat; prepares scrambled eggs and mushrooms; discusses Vernon's unambitious yet driven nature; kisses Sebastian goodbye.

II

Receives a surprise visit from Herr Radmaager, who evaluates her and offers her the chance to sing Solveig.

III

Hosts Vernon, rehearses with Mr. Hill, and gives blunt counsel about life choices.

IV

Identified as the older opera singer Myra is concerned about.

I

Jane is mentioned as the singer who helped Vernon remember the fairy-tale story for his opera. Nell feels an unreasoning prejudice against her.

II

Receives Vernon's news without the dramatic praise he imagined; she views life as a difficult, dangerous, but endlessly interesting adventure.

III

Offers Nell a cold, pragmatic assessment of her situation; remains calm and observant, provoking Nell's fury.

IV

Hosts Sebastian, shares her struggles with the role of Solveig, analyzes Nell and Joe, and proposes a plan to produce Vernon's opera.

I

Performs as Electra in Birmingham; Vernon attends and is impressed.

II

Criticizes Vernon's expectations, reveals her traumatic marriage to Boris Androv, and advises Vernon on his opera.

IV

Performs as Solveig in Peer Gynt to great acclaim, then comforts Vernon after he receives Nell's letter.

I

Struggles with a throat condition but insists on singing for Vernon's opera; reveals her emotional pain over Vernon's behavior.

II

Jane has lost her singing voice after performing in Vernon's opera, a sacrifice she made knowingly. She is devastated but resolute, refusing to let Vernon know the full extent of her sacrifice.

III

Receives Nell at her flat, initially hesitant but ultimately facilitates the reunion between Nell and Vernon.

Book IV: War

Continues her career as a singer, performing Solveig in Peer Gynt, while the war looms.

I

Mentioned as having discussed the war with Sebastian; she views war's claptrap as a necessary illusion.

II

Mentioned in conversation; Sebastian, Joe, and Nell discuss her whereabouts and character.

II

Seen by Vernon and Nell at a restaurant; her presence disturbs Vernon deeply; described as 'damnably disturbing.'

III

Discussed as a provocative influence on Vernon; she is now doing relief work in Serbia.

II

Visits Abbots Puissants and confronts Nell about her perceived smugness and neglect of Vernon's genius.

III

Jane is recalled by Nell as sneering, irreligious, and immoral, having upset Nell with her comments.

I

Recognizes Vernon Deyre as Mr. Bleibner's chauffeur and summons Sebastian Levinne to help.

II

The lady Green drove home; she confirms the revelation and is emotionally affected.

III

Jane talks with Sebastian late into the night, expressing doubt about whether they were right to bring Vernon back from his happy state as George Green.

II

Jane is briefly mentioned as having said 'unpleasant things' to Nell earlier that day, adding to Nell's distress.

IV

Referenced as having told Vernon he couldn't get everything, and is among those who know Vernon survived.

I

Visits Nell to expose the lie and reveal her own history with Vernon, threatening to reclaim him.

II: Letters from Vernon Deyre to Sebastian Levinne

Mentioned as sending love to Sebastian and expressing confidence that Vernon's musical inspiration will return.

III

Mentioned as sending love alongside Vernon.

IV

Mentioned as the one who brought Vernon to Moscow.

VII

Mentioned by Vernon as 'splendid' and suggested as a correspondent for Sebastian.

VIII

Mentioned as having passed through Paris and as a source of news about Sebastian.

Chapter X

Mentioned as sending her love through Vernon's letter.

Telegram from Vernon Deyre to Sebastian Levinne

Traveling with Vernon on the Resplendent.

I

Mentioned as belonging to Vernon; Sebastian admires her.

II

Mentioned as being on the Resplendent; found on the death roll.

III

Drowns in the Resplendent disaster; Vernon admits he loved her.

IV

The object of Vernon's love; he recalls her singing and their past.

V

Referenced as the object of Vernon's love and the inspiration for his work.