# Madame Wolsky — The Chink in the Armour character guide > Madame Wolsky in The Chink in the Armour by Marie Belloc Lowndes. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Wolsky, Anna Wolsky, Anna, Poor Madame Wolsky **First appearance:** 0001-the-chink-in-the-armour ## Snapshot 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. ## Who they are 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. ## Relationships ### [Sylvia Bailey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/characters/sylvia_bailey) _friendship_ Madame Wolsky acts as a worldly, somewhat cynical companion and confidante to Sylvia, offering advice and gossip about the social scene. ### [Monsieur Wachner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/characters/monsieur_wachner) _psychological_ Madame Wolsky and Monsieur Wachner share a manipulative, uneasy alliance, with each trying to use the other for their own ends. ### [Mrs. Meeks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/characters/mrs_meeks) _friendship_ Madame Wolsky and Mrs. Meeks share a friendly, gossipy relationship, often discussing the goings-on of the social circle. ### [Sylvia Bailey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/characters/sylvia_bailey) _friendship_ Madame Wolsky acts as a worldly, somewhat cynical companion and confidante to Sylvia, offering advice and gossip about the social scene. ### [Sylvia Bailey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/characters/sylvia_bailey) _friendship_ Madame Wolsky acts as a worldly, somewhat cynical companion and confidante to Sylvia, offering advice and gossip about the social scene. ### [Mrs. Meeks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/characters/mrs_meeks) _friendship_ Madame Wolsky and Mrs. Meeks share a friendly, gossipy relationship, often discussing the goings-on of the social circle. ### [Monsieur Wachner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/characters/monsieur_wachner) _psychological_ Madame Wolsky and Monsieur Wachner share a manipulative, uneasy alliance, with each trying to use the other for their own ends. ### [Monsieur Wachner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/characters/monsieur_wachner) _psychological_ Madame Wolsky and Monsieur Wachner share a manipulative, uneasy alliance, with each trying to use the other for their own ends. ## In the story ### [The Chink in the Armour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/the-chink-in-the-armour) Madame Wolsky remains a constant, watchful presence, hinting at the dangers that lurk beneath the surface of Sylvia's new life. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/i) Sylvia's new friend, a Polish widow and gambler who encourages Sylvia to visit Madame Cagliostra. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/ii) Insists on paying for the Grand Jeu for both of them. She is more serious about the fortune-telling and asks specific questions. Afterward, she rationalizes the fortune-teller's warnings as a scheme for more money. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/iii) Sylvia's friend who has gone to Lacville, presumably to gamble. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/iv) Shows Sylvia around Lacville, plans to stay at the Pension Malfait, and plays baccarat, winning and losing money. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/v) Encourages Sylvia to move to Lacville, but stays at a different pension. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned as Sylvia's friend and companion, though she is absent in this chapter. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/vii) Hosts Sylvia at the Pension Malfait, discusses gambling with Monsieur Wachner, and arranges for Sylvia's membership at the Club. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/viii) Referenced as having mentioned the Wachners' gambling habits. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/ix) Guides Sylvia at the baccarat table, wins over £80, and later discusses the Count and the mysterious Russian's death. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/x) Now lives for play alone, remaining silent for hours at the baccarat tables; accompanies Sylvia to the Casino and to the Wachners' supper. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xi) Mentioned as a contrast to Sylvia's own lack of gambling passion, highlighting Sylvia's self-awareness. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xii) Anna Wolsky warns Sylvia about the Count's intentions and suggests they leave Lacville. Later, she holds the bank at the baccarat table, displaying her gambling prowess. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xiv) Reported missing; she left the Pension Malfait without telling anyone, leaving her luggage behind. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xv) Mysteriously disappeared from Lacville without informing Sylvia, leaving behind only a letter to Madame Malfait. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xvi) Her sudden disappearance and lack of contact are the central concern of the chapter. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xvii) Her unexplained departure continues to puzzle Sylvia and others; her belongings remain at the Pension Malfait. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xviii) Mentioned as having been at the chalet on the day she left, contrary to Sylvia's belief. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xix) Intervenes to introduce herself to Chester, providing a welcome diversion for Sylvia. She is friendly and speaks English well, though with dropped aitches. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xx) Escorts Chester to the Pension Malfait, lies about Sylvia's Casino visits, and probes Chester's intentions. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xxi) Feels uneasy about Chester's presence, fearing he might take Sylvia away from Lacville. She invites them to tea at the Châlet des Muguets and is startled to learn Sylvia went into the forbidden wood. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xxii) Dines with Sylvia and Chester, is cheerful, and tries to persuade Chester to go to the Casino. Later, she quarrels with Fritz about his gambling and worries about his losses. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xxv) Though dead, her memory and suspected murder drive Sylvia's desire for revenge. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/characters/madame_wolsky - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/characters