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The Chink in the Armour · Character

Madame Wolsky

A Polish widow some years Sylvia's senior, fluent and indulgent, who befriends the younger woman in Paris and steers her toward the fortune-teller's card.

major

Also known as Wolsky, Anna Wolsky, Anna, Poor Madame Wolsky

First appearance: The Chink in the Armour

As a major figure in The Chink in the Armour, Madame Wolsky is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Madame Wolsky remains a constant, watchful presence, hinting at the dangers that lurk beneath the surface of Sylvia's new life.
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Anna Wolsky is the sophisticated foreign friend Sylvia's palmist predicted, a woman of the world who speaks English with a strong accent and treats Sylvia with affectionate indulgence. She is the one who recognizes Madame Cagliostra's name and supplies the chambermaid's gossip about the seer, nudging Sylvia toward the consultation. Her easy authority over Sylvia's idle afternoons makes her both a comfort and a quiet source of unease as the circle around them tightens.

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Character Web

14 connections

A slice of how Madame Wolsky sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

SOSophieSBSylvia BaileyCPComte Paul de …MWMonsieur WachnerMMMrs. MeeksMWMadame Wolsky

Relationship types

  • Friendship
  • Psychological
  • Other

Character groups

  • Sylvia's social circle
  • Historical and peripheral figures
  • Protagonist

+9 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

SetupEscalationClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Closing

Sylvia’s emotional peak occurs as she consciously resolves to leave Lacville and banish Paul de Virieu from he…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Madame Wolsky in The Chink in the Armour

In the story

Madame Wolsky appears across 23 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Madame Wolsky unlock in the free preview.

See Madame Wolsky in The Chink in the Armour