Bernard Profitendieu

Olivier Molinier

Bernard and Olivier are close friends and schoolmates, sharing intellectual and emotional confidences.

Edouard

Bernard becomes Edouard's secretary and protégé, developing a respectful but somewhat formal bond.

Laura Douviers

Bernard helps Laura in her time of need, forming a supportive and chaste friendship.

Robert de Passavant

Bernard dislikes and distrusts Robert de Passavant, seeing him as a corrupting influence on Olivier.

Madame Profitendieu

Bernard discovers he is illegitimate and has a strained, distant relationship with his mother.

George Molinier

Bernard knows George as Olivier's younger brother and occasionally interacts with him, but they are not close.

Olivier Molinier

Bernard and Olivier are close friends and schoolmates, sharing intellectual and emotional confidences.

Laura Douviers

Bernard helps Laura in her time of need, forming a supportive and chaste friendship.

Olivier Molinier

Bernard and Olivier are close friends and schoolmates, sharing intellectual and emotional confidences.

Edouard

Bernard becomes Edouard's secretary and protégé, developing a respectful but somewhat formal bond.

Laura Douviers

Bernard helps Laura in her time of need, forming a supportive and chaste friendship.

Robert de Passavant

Bernard dislikes and distrusts Robert de Passavant, seeing him as a corrupting influence on Olivier.

The Counterfeiters

Discovers his illegitimacy through hidden letters, leading to an existential crisis and decision to run away.

Part I: Paris

Discovers his illegitimacy through a letter and decides to run away from home.

I: The Luxembourg Gardens

Discovers his illegitimacy through a hidden love letter and decides to leave home; seeks Olivier's help for shelter.

III: Bernard and Olivier

Visits Olivier at night, announces he has left home permanently, and discusses his plans for the future.

VI: Bernard Awakens

Protagonist; awakens from a dream, leaves Olivier, and embarks on a solitary morning adventure, reflecting on his bastardy and newfound freedom.

IX: Edouard and Olivier

Briefly mentioned as following Edouard and Olivier from the station, picking up the discarded cloakroom ticket.

X: The Cloakroom Ticket

Wakes on a bench, follows Olivier and Edouard, picks up the cloakroom ticket, retrieves the suitcase, finds money, and reads Edouard's notebook.

XIV: Bernard and Laura

Resolves to save Laura after reading her letter; visits her hotel, confesses to taking Edouard's suitcase, and offers to become his secretary.

Part II: Saas-Fée

Arrives in Saas-Fée, grappling with his newfound freedom and identity after leaving Paris.

From Bernard to Olivier

Writes a long, enthusiastic letter to Olivier from Switzerland, describing his adventures with Edouard and Laura, and his admiration for Laura.

III: Edouard Explains His Theory of the Novel

Listens to Edouard's discourse with attention and skepticism; feels his mind waver but remains critical; serves as Edouard's secretary but has little actual work; enjoys a comfortable life and believes in his star.

Bernard and Laura

Reflects on his illegitimacy, his relationship with his adoptive father, and his desire for honesty; offers to help Edouard with his novel.

From Olivier to Bernard

Proposes to work at the Vedel-Azaïs school to earn his living and be near Boris; feels curiosity about Armand and Sarah Vedel.

VII: The Author Reviews His Characters

The author reflects on Bernard's early rebellion and subsequent conformity, noting his generosity but also his reliance on books over life.

I: Edouard’s Journal: Oscar Molinier

Subject of Molinier's gossip; revealed to be illegitimate and has run away from home.

The First Day of the Term

Bernard visits Edouard and shares his observations of the first day, including his impressions of Armand and other boys, but feels sad and leaves early.

V: Olivier Meets Bernard

After his French examination, Bernard meets Olivier. He defends traditional French values and artistic depth, angrily rejecting the superficial ideas he attributes to Passavant.

VII: Olivier and Armand

Mentioned as having promised to attend the Argonauts' dinner, which Olivier mentions to Armand.

The Argonauts’ Dinner

Accompanies Edouard and Sarah to the dinner; observes the scene and feels uncomfortable with Sarah's attention.

Olivier and Edouard

Spends the night with Sarah, leaves early, recalls Laura's words, tries to study, then goes to Edouard's with Lucien.

X: Olivier’s Convalescence

Visits Olivier, studies for his viva voce; reflects that his place is not with Edouard, as he is now involved with Sarah.

XIII: Edouard’s Journal: Douviers’ Profitendieu

Mentioned by Profitendieu; passed his written examination brilliantly, wrote a remarkable French essay, and is proud and easily offended.

XIV: Bernard and the Angel

Passes his baccalauréat, wrestles with an angel, refuses to sign a political pledge, and feels guilt over his affair with Sarah.

XV: Bernard Visits Edouard

Arrives at Edouard's with his belongings, having left the Vedels'. He is grave and matured, refusing to return to his father's house or take his money, seeking to prove himself.

XVII: Armand and Olivier

Mentioned as having left the pension and as having been involved with Sarah.

XX: Edouard's Journal

Has returned to his father's house after learning the old judge is unwell.