Princess Seraphina

Prince Otto

Otto and Seraphina are estranged spouses, bound by duty but strained by political and personal conflicts.

Sir John Crabtree

Seraphina and Sir John share a wary acquaintance, with John observing her political maneuvers.

Countess von Rosen

The Countess and Seraphina are jealous rivals, competing for influence and Otto's attention.

Governor Gordon

Gordon serves Seraphina as a military commander, respecting her authority but distrusting her advisors.

Doctor Gotthold

Gotthold is a rare honest friend to Seraphina, offering blunt counsel and genuine concern.

Prince Otto

Otto and Seraphina are estranged spouses, bound by duty but strained by political and personal conflicts.

Governor Gordon

Gordon serves Seraphina as a military commander, respecting her authority but distrusting her advisors.

Prince Otto

Otto and Seraphina are estranged spouses, bound by duty but strained by political and personal conflicts.

Sir John Crabtree

Seraphina and Sir John share a wary acquaintance, with John observing her political maneuvers.

Sir John Crabtree

Seraphina and Sir John share a wary acquaintance, with John observing her political maneuvers.

Doctor Gotthold

Gotthold is a rare honest friend to Seraphina, offering blunt counsel and genuine concern.

Countess von Rosen

The Countess and Seraphina are jealous rivals, competing for influence and Otto's attention.

Prince Otto

Otto's wife, who is increasingly distant and influenced by Baron Gondremark.

Book I: Prince Errant

Otto's wife, whose coldness and political ambitions have contributed to the rift in their marriage.

In Which the Prince Plays Haroun-al-Raschid

Mentioned as having a lover and being a 'Messalina' by the subjects.

Book II: Of Love and Politics

Engages in political maneuvering with Gondremark, distancing herself from Otto.

What Happened in the Library

Mentioned as having been given the principality as a plaything and being loathed by the people.

II: “On the Court of Grünewald,” Being a Portion of the Traveller’s Manuscript

Portrayed as a vain, superficially clever but fundamentally foolish young woman, sick with vanity, incapable of truth, and used as a tool by Gondremark; she submits to his dominance and the public humiliation of his affair with Countess von Rosen.

While the Prince Is in the Anteroom…

Not present in the anteroom but is the subject of gossip; von Rosen reveals she rode out with Gondremark and was cheered.

Gondremark Is in My Lady's Chamber

Closeted with Gondremark, she displays ambition and a desire for power, yet shows momentary doubt about the war and her role.

The Prince Delivers a Lecture on Marriage, with Practical Illustrations of Divorce

Defensive and dismissive of Otto's concerns, she is conflicted about Gondremark and resents Otto's interference.

VII: The Prince Dissolves the Council

Presides over the council, supports the war declaration, and angrily confronts Otto before breaking down in tears.

The Party of War Takes Action

Initially crushed and hesitant, but after reading Greisengesang's note about losing her signature rights, she writes the order for Otto's arrest.

IX: The Price of the River Farm; in Which Vainglory Goes Before a Fall

Appears in the drawing-room, greeting Otto with artificial sweetness, highlighting the strained marriage.

X: Gotthold’s Revised Opinion; and the Fall Completed

Mentioned as faithful by the Countess; praised by Gotthold as a woman of affairs and a 'carnation'; her insult at the council and Otto's public retaliation are cited as evidence of Otto's failings.

Providence von Rosen: Act the First

Referred to as 'Ratafia'; Gondremark claims she signed the arrest order and that he is not her lover.

Providence von Rosen: Act the Second

Implied as a conspirator with Gondremark against Otto; her actions drive the chapter's conflict.

Providence von Rosen: Act the Third

Shown as distressed, guilt-ridden, and isolated; she receives von Rosen's revelations with shock and writes an order for Otto's release.

XIV: Relates the Cause and Outbreak of the Revolution

Experiences a crisis of betrayal and despair, attempts suicide, then stabs Gondremark in a fit of rage.

Princess Cinderella

Flees the palace after a coup, wanders the forest, and later accepts help from Sir John Crabtree. She reflects on her marriage and expresses a desire to free Otto.

III: Providence von Rosen: Act the Last

Mentioned as the source of the release order, which von Rosen claims to have forced from her.

IV: Babes in the Wood

Flees after the coup, confesses her faults and remorse, reaches out to Otto, and accepts his love and guidance.

Bibliographical Postscript to Complete the Story

Co-author of the poetry volume, living quietly with Otto at her father's court.