Theron Ware

Celia Madden

Celia captivates Theron with her beauty, intellect, and artistic sensibilities, drawing him into a flirtatious and idealized infatuation that ultimately leads to his disillusionment.

Alice Ware

Alice is Theron's devoted but increasingly neglected wife, whose simple piety and domestic concerns clash with his growing worldly ambitions.

Father Forbes

Father Forbes acts as a sophisticated mentor to Theron, introducing him to Catholic intellectualism and liberal theology, but their bond is based on Theron's naive admiration.

Sister Soulsby

Sister Soulsby is a shrewd manipulator who takes Theron under her wing, teaching him the cynical art of managing a congregation through emotional manipulation and financial schemes.

Dr. Ledsmar

Dr. Ledsmar is a reclusive scientist who engages Theron in intellectual discussions about Darwinism and skepticism, further eroding Theron's faith.

Levi Gorringe

Levi Gorringe is a church trustee and lawyer who initially supports Theron but becomes resentful after Theron neglects his duties and borrows money from him.

Michael Madden

Michael Madden is Celia's brother and a simple, hardworking Irish laborer who distrusts Theron's growing intimacy with his sister.

Tisdale

Tisdale is a fellow Methodist minister who represents the conventional, narrow-minded religious establishment that Theron comes to despise.

The Presiding Elder

The Presiding Elder is Theron's ecclesiastical superior who oversees his ministry and becomes concerned by Theron's erratic behavior and declining congregation.

Abram Beekman

Abram Beekman is a rival for Alice's attention and a symbol of the practical, successful world that Theron fails to navigate.

Brother Soulsby

Brother Soulsby is Sister Soulsby's husband and partner in revivalist schemes, assisting in the manipulation of Theron's congregation.

Celia Madden

Celia captivates Theron with her beauty, intellect, and artistic sensibilities, drawing him into a flirtatious and idealized infatuation that ultimately leads to his disillusionment.

I

A young minister with a fine appearance and thoughtful eyes, hoping for a prestigious appointment to Tecumseh but instead assigned to Octavius.

Chapter II

Reflects on his past struggles in Tyre, his ambition to become a great pulpit orator, and his recent failure at the Conference; he is now in Octavius.

III

The young minister, intimidated and subdued by the trustees' demands, struggles to assert himself and feels increasingly trapped in his new charge.

IV

Preaches two sermons that please the congregation; is humiliated by the forced removal of Alice's roses; tries to cheer Alice but fails; walks into the countryside, resolves to hire a servant, buy a piano, and write a book about Abraham; is deeply moved by the Catholic last rites and Celia's Latin chant.

V

Reflects on his prejudices against the Irish and Catholicism, experiences a shift in perspective after witnessing MacEvoy's deathbed scene.

VI

Experiences a profound intellectual crisis, realizing his ignorance and resolving to educate himself; visits Father Forbes and arranges to buy a piano.

VII

Visits Father Forbes, feeling out of place but drawn to the intellectual atmosphere.

VIII

Visits Dr. Ledsmar, listens to organ music, and enters a Catholic church for the first time.

Chapter X

Feels anxious about walking with Celia at night, but becomes intrigued by her conversation and music.

Chapter XI

Feels anxious and unsupported by Alice; experiments with dual preaching styles but fails to attract new congregants; struggles to navigate the conservative expectations of his Octavius parishioners.

Chapter XII

Visits Gorringe's office, expresses discouragement about his ministry and the church's debt, and shares his growing dissatisfaction with Methodism's literal interpretation.

XIII

Spends the day reading Renan, struggles with doubt, and avoids the prayer-meeting by claiming a headache.

XIV

Theron is captivated by Sister Soulsby's worldly experience and sharp tactics, though he feels uneasy about her manipulative approach to church affairs.

XV

Feels humiliated and alienated by the revival; reads the list of new members but omits Gorringe's name; faints from the heat.

XVI

Feels faint and weary, annoyed with Alice, and reluctantly follows Sister Soulsby's instructions to attend the trustees' meeting, where he votes to release Winch from his pledge.

Chapter XVII

Confesses his shame and lack of self-respect after following Sister Soulsby's instructions; struggles with his conscience over the revival's dishonest methods.

XVIII

Convalescing, avoids prayer meeting, walks alone, and seeks out Celia Madden.

XIX

Visits Celia's room, is overwhelmed by the art and music, experiences giddiness and emotional turmoil.

XX

Awakens feeling transformed and reborn, dismisses his wife's concerns, and eagerly pursues intellectual and social connections with Celia Madden.

Chapter XXI

Visits Dr. Ledsmar under the pretext of scientific curiosity but is primarily driven by a desire to understand Celia Madden's relationship with Father Forbes. He is flattered by being called a 'priest' and listens intently to Ledsmar's theories.

Chapter XXII

Basks in his recent triumph, walks alone to spy on the Catholic picnic, and reflects on his intellectual and physical changes.

XXIII

Theron drinks beer for the first time, discusses his marriage grievance, and engages in philosophical debate with Father Forbes.

XXIV

Theron is deeply infatuated and emotionally overwhelmed by Celia, struggling to reconcile his admiration with the doctor's harsh words about her.

Chapter XXV

Confronts Gorringe, feels insulted but regains composure; muses on leaving the ministry and depending on Celia's wealth; resents Alice.

XXVI

Feels liberated after confronting Gorringe, decides to dine with Father Forbes, and declares his intention to leave the ministry.

XXVII

Theron makes hostile remarks about Gorringe's flowers and his departure, coldly dismisses Alice's concerns, and leaves the room after their argument.

XXVIII

Resolves to test his destiny with Celia, hardens his heart against Alice, and lies about a trip to Albany.

XXIX

Awakens on the train, follows Father Forbes and Celia to the Murray Hill Hotel, feels resourceful and confident, spends church money freely.

XXX

Theron passionately declares his love for Celia, but is brutally rejected and humiliated. He later struggles with jealousy and resolves to continue his pursuit.

XXXI

Arrives at the Soulsby home in the early morning, drunk and heartbroken, expressing profound despair about his moral transformation and loss of faith.

XXXII

Recovered from illness, gaunt but healthy, daydreams about a political career in Seattle.