Olivier Molinier

Bernard Profitendieu

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

Edouard

Edouard is both a mentor and an object of intense fascination for Olivier, with a complex mix of paternal affection and latent romantic tension.

Robert de Passavant

Olivier is initially infatuated with Robert de Passavant, who exerts a seductive and corrupting influence over him.

Armand Vedel

Armand and Olivier are school friends, though Armand is cynical and often mocks Olivier's naivety.

George Molinier

George is Olivier's younger brother, and they share a typical sibling bond with some rivalry.

Bernard Profitendieu

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

Edouard

Edouard is both a mentor and an object of intense fascination for Olivier, with a complex mix of paternal affection and latent romantic tension.

Bernard Profitendieu

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

Robert de Passavant

Olivier is initially infatuated with Robert de Passavant, who exerts a seductive and corrupting influence over him.

Edouard

Edouard is both a mentor and an object of intense fascination for Olivier, with a complex mix of paternal affection and latent romantic tension.

Armand Vedel

Armand and Olivier are school friends, though Armand is cynical and often mocks Olivier's naivety.

Armand Vedel

Armand and Olivier are school friends, though Armand is cynical and often mocks Olivier's naivety.

The Counterfeiters

Bernard's friend, mentioned as a confidant and recipient of Bernard's letter from Switzerland.

Part I: Paris

Bernard's friend, involved with Robert de Passavant and struggling with his own desires.

I: The Luxembourg Gardens

Bernard's intimate friend; agrees to let Bernard stay in his room despite his own nervousness.

III: Bernard and Olivier

Receives Bernard, confesses his first sexual encounter, and shares his admiration for his Uncle Edouard.

Vincent and the Comte de Passavant

Mentioned as Vincent's younger brother; Passavant asks about his poetry and invites him to visit.

VI: Bernard Awakens

Bernard's friend; sleeps beside Bernard, his arm draped over him, but Bernard leaves without waking him.

VII: Lilian and Vincent

Mentioned by Vincent as the brother he must go see to pass on an invitation from Robert de Passavant.

VIII: Edouard and Laura

Edouard wonders if Olivier will meet him at the station, recalling their past acquaintance.

IX: Edouard and Olivier

Meets Edouard but is embarrassed and hides his eagerness; preoccupied with Bernard's departure and unable to speak openly.

X: The Cloakroom Ticket

Seen arm in arm with Edouard; Bernard follows them.

XI: Edouard’s Journal: George Molinier

Edouard's thoughts increasingly center on Olivier, though he struggles to interact with him.

Edouard's Journal: Laura's Wedding

Attends the wedding; holds Edouard's hand during the service, showing new friendliness.

XIII: Edouard’s Journal: First Visit to La Pérouse

Mentioned in Edouard's later journal entries; Edouard follows him in the street and feels a distant affection.

XIV: Bernard and Laura

Mentioned as Bernard's friend and Vincent's brother; his conversation with Edouard is referenced.

XV: Olivier Visits the Comte de Passavant

Visits Passavant, accepts port and cigarettes, is offered the literary direction of a new review.

XVII: The Evening at Rambouillet

Mentioned as the subject of Robert's request; Robert describes him as a promising young man and offers him the editorship of a review.

XVIII: Edouard’s Journal: Second Visit to La Pérouse

Edouard's unsatisfactory conversation with him is mentioned; his intimate friend is the one who took Edouard's suitcase.

From Bernard to Olivier

Receives Bernard's letter and is overwhelmed by jealousy and despair, feeling excluded from the friendship between Bernard and Edouard.

From Olivier to Bernard

Writes to Bernard from Corsica, describing his travels with Passavant and his new role as editor of The Vanguard.

VII: The Author Reviews His Characters

The author laments that Olivier fell under Passavant's influence instead of Edouard's, noting his tender nature and vanity.

I: Edouard’s Journal: Oscar Molinier

Molinier's son; traveling in Corsica with the Comte de Passavant, which Molinier disapproves of.

V: Olivier Meets Bernard

Freshly returned to Paris, elegantly dressed, and anxious to impress Bernard. He adopts Passavant's ideas but feels ashamed when Bernard challenges them, leading to a painful rift.

VI: Edouard's Journal: Madame Molinier

Pauline's son; she laments losing his confidence and disapproves of his association with Passavant, but feels powerless to intervene.

VII: Olivier and Armand

Visits Armand at the Pension Vedel, seeking friendship after failing to find his uncle. He is moved by Armand's confession but is pressed for time due to a rendezvous with Passavant.

The Argonauts’ Dinner

Torn between Edouard's esteem and Passavant's influence; drinks curaçao for courage.

Olivier and Edouard

Attempts suicide by gas in Edouard's bathroom; is found and revived by Edouard.

X: Olivier’s Convalescence

Convalescing after his suicide attempt; barely speaks, but brightens at Bernard's voice and asks him to return.

XI: Edouard's Journal: Pauline

Recovering from illness and suicide attempt; asks Edouard not to investigate his motives; shares a tender moment with Edouard.

XII: Edouard and Then Strouvilhou Visit Passavant

Mentioned as having left Passavant to stay with Edouard; his belongings are being retrieved.

XIII: Edouard’s Journal: Douviers’ Profitendieu

Asks Edouard about his work; Edouard reads him the new pages and Olivier offers judicious remarks; he is anxious about the review and his story written for Passavant.

XVII: Armand and Olivier

Receives Armand's visit; listens to his cynical confessions and expresses sympathy.

XX: Edouard's Journal

Touched by Boris's death; informs Edouard of Bernard's return.