# Byam — The Cords of Vanity character guide

> Byam in The Cords of Vanity by James Branch Cabell.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0010-i-he-sits-out-a-dance

## Who they are

A friend of the narrator, a young man.

## In the story

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/iii)

Invaluable mulatto, son of the narrator's cousin Dick Townsend and his housekeeper, who makes the narrator comfortable in the Townsend house.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/v)

Ordered by the narrator to pack for the trip.

### [He Reviles Destiny and Climbs a Wall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xxiii-he-reviles-destiny-and-climbs-a-wall)

The narrator's man, who acts as a spy at Selwoode to gather information about Margaret Hugonin.

### [He Assists in the Diversion of Birds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/xxvi-he-assists-in-the-diversion-of-birds)

Townsend's valet, mentioned as having described his master as handsome, leading Avis to suspect Townsend's true identity.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/chapters/i)

Byam brings the mail from the post-office as Charteris leaves.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/characters/byam
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cords_of_vanity_se/characters