Venice Pollen

Napier Harpenden

Napier has a romantic affair with Venice Pollen, creating tension in his relationship with Iris.

Iris March

Iris and Venice are romantic rivals, competing for Napier's affection.

Guy de Travest

Guy and Venice are social acquaintances, occasionally allied in their schemes.

Shirley

Shirley is Venice's maid, serving her with dutiful obedience.

Napier Harpenden

Napier has a romantic affair with Venice Pollen, creating tension in his relationship with Iris.

Napier Harpenden

Napier has a romantic affair with Venice Pollen, creating tension in his relationship with Iris.

Guy de Travest

Guy and Venice are social acquaintances, occasionally allied in their schemes.

Iris March

Iris and Venice are romantic rivals, competing for Napier's affection.

Iris March

Iris and Venice are romantic rivals, competing for Napier's affection.

Shirley

Shirley is Venice's maid, serving her with dutiful obedience.

Guy de Travest

Guy and Venice are social acquaintances, occasionally allied in their schemes.

Shirley

Shirley is Venice's maid, serving her with dutiful obedience.

IV: Aphrodite

Venice is mentioned by Hilary as being about to marry Naps (Napier Harpenden) and as a loyal girl.

I

Seen at the Loyalty Club sitting between her parents, excited and waiting for Napier.

II

Mentioned as marrying Naps; her father is a newspaper owner who might print Gerald's story.

VI: The Red Lights

Venice is Napier's wife, waiting outside in a taxi. The narrator is fiercely loyal to her, describing her as 'incorruptible, golden Venice.' The narrator fears that if Venice sees Napier in his current state, she will realize the difference between his love for her and his 'damnable madness' for Iris.

IV

Venice is waiting in a taxi outside the nursing home, mentioned by Napier.

V

Asleep in the taxi; the narrator avoids speaking with her.

VII: For Venice!

Venice is anxious about her marriage and reveals she feels she cannot have a child; she plans to leave Paris for Provence with Napier.

I

Venice calls the narrator to arrange lunch, complaining about Napier's indecisiveness and her dislike of Paris.

II

Shows awareness of Napier's visit to Iris; displays a new dignity and imperiousness.

II

Mentioned as someone who could not have afforded to let Iris have another piqûre du cœur.

IX: Talking of Hats

Venice is the host of the children's party; Guy mentions she was feeling depressed and he thought a party would cheer her.

I

The child for whom the party is being thrown; Guy hopes his young man will find someone half as good as her.

X: The Fall of the Emerald

Jealous and fearful of Iris, yet outwardly charming; participates in the car race and swim.

I

Napier's wife, who is jealous and fearful of Iris, yet acts charmingly and tries to win Iris's trust through manipulation.

II

Venice is energetic and mischievous, helping to organize the boat and bathing, and is described as reckless by Iris.

XI: St. George for England!

Mentioned in the narrator's reflection and Iris's conversation; Iris muses on whether Venice had a child and what that would mean.

I

The narrator recalls a recent visit where they spoke of the tempestuous night in July.