Sylvia Tietjens

Christopher Tietjens

A bitterly estranged married couple locked in a destructive cycle of manipulation, resentment, and mutual psychological warfare.

Mark Tietjens

Sister-in-law relationship marked by Mark's silent disapproval of Sylvia's cruelty toward his brother Christopher.

Gunning

Sylvia's manipulative and obsessive lover who enables her destructive schemes while being controlled by her.

Valentine Wannop

Bitter romantic rivals, with Sylvia viewing Valentine as the usurper of her marriage and directing venomous jealousy toward her.

Cammy Fittleworth

A society acquaintance who is drawn into Sylvia's orbit, often serving as a witness or minor accomplice to her schemes.

Marie Léonie

Mutual disdain between the pragmatic, loyal Marie Léonie and the aristocratic, manipulative Sylvia, rooted in class and moral differences.

General Campion

A family friend and military figure who is alternately charmed and troubled by Sylvia's behavior, maintaining a wary acquaintance.

Father Consett

A confessor who sees through Sylvia's manipulations and tries to guide her toward redemption, but is often rebuffed.

Helen Lowther

A society friend who participates in Sylvia's social circle, often complicit in gossip and intrigues.

Christopher Tietjens

A bitterly estranged married couple locked in a destructive cycle of manipulation, resentment, and mutual psychological warfare.

Marie Léonie

Mutual disdain between the pragmatic, loyal Marie Léonie and the aristocratic, manipulative Sylvia, rooted in class and moral differences.

Mark Tietjens

Sister-in-law relationship marked by Mark's silent disapproval of Sylvia's cruelty toward his brother Christopher.

The Last Post Part I

Confronts Mark in his hut, proposes marriage to General Campion, and manipulates Mrs. de Bray Pape into cutting down the Groby Great Tree.

I

Mentioned by Mark as being up to something with General Campion, though he does not interfere.

Chapter IV

Mark thinks of Sylvia as an unceasing, unsleeping source of fantastic activities, believing she wants Christopher back and has sent Mrs. de Bray Pape to further her schemes.

V

Christopher's wife, described by Mark as thin, vicious, disloyal, and dressed like a Paris cocotte, having drained Christopher financially.

VI

Christopher's wife; Mark suspects she hoped to be the first Lady Tietjens of Groby.

VII

Manipulatively reappears at Christopher's house, claiming cancer to disrupt his relationship with Valentine.

I

Observes the Fittleworths' garden and reflects on her schemes to gather information about Christopher and Valentine's household, her manipulation of Lady Macmaster, and her social calculations.

II

Reflects on her campaign against Groby Great Tree, her failed divorce case, and her spiritual crisis; encounters Gunning and feels God may have turned against her.

Chapter III

Appears coldly, reading a letter and subtly undermining Valentine's position, referencing her past intimacy with Christopher.

Chapter IV

Sylvia is recalled as having orchestrated the cutting down of Groby Great Tree, but Mark senses a psychological crisis in her and feels pity.