Nicolaes Beresteyn

Gilda Beresteyn

Gilda and Nicolaes are brother and sister, with Nicolaes often protective but also controlling toward Gilda.

Willem

Nicolaes and Willem are brothers, with a complex relationship involving rivalry and shared family burdens.

Diogenes

Diogenes and Nicolaes are antagonists, clashing over Gilda's affections and political allegiances.

Sir Percy Blakeney

Nicolaes and Sir Percy are political rivals, with Sir Percy opposing Nicolaes's schemes.

Frans Hals

Frans Hals and Nicolaes have a professional connection, likely involving art commissions or patronage.

Stoutenburg

Nicolaes and Stoutenburg are enemies, with Stoutenburg manipulating events against Nicolaes's family.

Sir Percy Blakeney

Nicolaes and Sir Percy are political rivals, with Sir Percy opposing Nicolaes's schemes.

Willem

Nicolaes and Willem are brothers, with a complex relationship involving rivalry and shared family burdens.

Frans Hals

Frans Hals and Nicolaes have a professional connection, likely involving art commissions or patronage.

Gilda Beresteyn

Gilda and Nicolaes are brother and sister, with Nicolaes often protective but also controlling toward Gilda.

Diogenes

Diogenes and Nicolaes are antagonists, clashing over Gilda's affections and political allegiances.

Willem

Nicolaes and Willem are brothers, with a complex relationship involving rivalry and shared family burdens.

The Prologue

Mentioned as Stoutenburg's former friend and Gilda's brother; Stoutenburg hopes for his help, but Gilda warns he cannot be counted on.

I: New Year’s Eve

A wealthy councillor and tulip enthusiast; boasts of paying 15,000 florins for a new hybrid bulb.

Watch-Night

Participates in the conspiracy, expressing bitterness toward his father's loyalty to the Stadtholder and pledging loyalty to Stoutenburg.

Brother and Sister

Defends his involvement in the conspiracy, struggles with his sister's defiance, and ultimately decides to trust her silence.

VI: The Counsels of Prudence

Beresteyn is torn between his affection for his sister and his fear of the conspiracy being exposed. He is swayed by Stoutenburg's arguments and begins to consider how to silence Gilda.

Three Philosophers and Their Friends

Engages Diogenes in conversation, showing unusual civility and restraint despite Diogenes' insolence, and offers patronage which Diogenes refuses.

VIII: The Lodgings Which Were Paid For

Watches the scene with Stoutenburg from a distance, does not intervene despite being able to help.

IX: The Painter of Pictures

Agrees to sacrifice his sister Gilda for the conspiracy, believing he is acting for his country and faith.

X: The Laughing Cavalier

Visits Frans Hals's studio to commission a portrait and to recruit Diogenes for a secret mission.

XI: The Bargain

Proposes the abduction of his sister Gilda, arranges the payment and route, and reluctantly agrees to Diogenes' terms.

The Portrait

Shows Diogenes the portrait of his sister and takes his leave, treating Diogenes as an equal.

After Evensong

Gilda's brother, whose involvement in the conspiracy weighs on her conscience.

The Halt at Bennebrock

Gilda mistakenly believes Nicolaes is only blindly acquiescent, not directly responsible for her abduction.

An Understanding

Implied as Stoutenburg's accomplice who callously sacrificed his sister; Diogenes recalls their earlier interview in Frans Hals' studio.

Back Again in Haarlem

Mentioned as raising a company of Waardgelders to pursue the brigands and commanding the expedition to rescue his sister.

A Grief-Stricken Father

Leads the initial pursuit but injures his arm in a fall; returns to Haarlem and joins his father at the Lame Cow, offering advice and money for the expedition.

XXIII: A Spy from the Camp

Furious and anxious about Gilda's fate; confronts Stoutenburg about Diogenes's betrayal and the danger to their conspiracy.

The Birth of Hate

Mentioned as having parted with Stoutenburg and Jan to go to the Lame Cow.

XXV: An Arrant Knave

Consults with Stoutenburg about the incriminating papers in Diogenes' possession and agrees to trust Stoutenburg's plan to capture Diogenes and secure Gilda.

Back to Houdekerk

Referenced in Diogenes' thoughts as the man to whom he gave his word to bring Gilda back safely.

Check

Author of the letter instructing Ben Isaje to keep Gilda as a prisoner and pay Diogenes.

A Nocturne

Mentioned as Gilda's brother, but not present in the chapter.

XXXI: The Molens

Torn by remorse but dominated by Stoutenburg's will, he writes the letter to Ben Isaje and agrees to the scheme.

The Captive Lion

Sits sullen and anxious in the weighing-room, groans at the situation, and restrains Stoutenburg from further striking the prisoner.

XXXIV: Protestations

Mentioned as having refused to accompany Stoutenburg, afraid to face his sister; his possible complicity in the abduction is discussed.

The Witness for the Defence

Implicated by the forged bond that Stoutenburg presents; Diogenes' confession clears him of involvement in the abduction.

Dawn

One of the chosen lieutenants who will send the wooden bridge flying; mentioned among the conspirators.

The Hour

Visits Diogenes to thank him but is too cowardly to confess his guilt to Gilda or stop the execution.

XL: The Loser Pays

Terrified and trembling, he prepares to flee and insists Gilda must come with them, though he regards her with hatred.

XLI: “Vengeance Is Mine”

Briefly mentioned among Stoutenburg's friends who are making ready for flight after the conspiracy collapses.

XLII: The Fight in the Doorway

Witnesses the fight, is confronted by Diogenes about his loyalty to Gilda, and is locked in the hut.

XLIII: Leyden Once More

Nicolaes accompanies Gilda back to Leyden, showing gentleness and remorse. He sends a messenger to their father and dreads the meeting with him.