Willem

Gilda Beresteyn

Gilda and Willem are siblings, with a close but sometimes strained bond due to family secrets and political tensions.

Stoutenburg

Stoutenburg and Willem are political enemies, with Stoutenburg plotting against Willem's family and interests.

Nicolaes Beresteyn

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

Diogenes

Diogenes and Willem are friends and occasional co-conspirators, bound by a sense of honor and adventure.

Gilda Beresteyn

Gilda and Willem are siblings, with a close but sometimes strained bond due to family secrets and political tensions.

Stoutenburg

Stoutenburg and Willem are political enemies, with Stoutenburg plotting against Willem's family and interests.

Nicolaes Beresteyn

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

Diogenes

Diogenes and Willem are friends and occasional co-conspirators, bound by a sense of honor and adventure.

Gilda Beresteyn

Gilda and Willem are siblings, with a close but sometimes strained bond due to family secrets and political tensions.

Nicolaes Beresteyn

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

Stoutenburg

Stoutenburg and Willem are political enemies, with Stoutenburg plotting against Willem's family and interests.

Diogenes

Diogenes and Willem are friends and occasional co-conspirators, bound by a sense of honor and adventure.

The Prologue

A fugitive with a price on his head, exhausted and desperate, he seeks refuge in Gilda's room, recounting his failed attempt to help his brother escape.

II: The Fracas by the Postern Gate

Aggressor whose nose is also flattened during the confrontation.

Watch-Night

Central figure in the conspiracy, he passionately vows to kill the Stadtholder with his own hand to avenge his father John of Barneveld.

Brother and Sister

Referenced as the leader of the conspiracy and the man Gilda once loved, now seen as treacherous.

VI: The Counsels of Prudence

Stoutenburg calmly but firmly pressures Beresteyn to take decisive action against Gilda, revealing his love for her and his ambition to have her share his triumph after the conspiracy succeeds.

VIII: The Lodgings Which Were Paid For

Observes the events with Nicolaes Beresteyn, shows interest in the unfolding scene.

IX: The Painter of Pictures

Persuades Beresteyn to hand over Gilda, pledging to marry her and protect her honor.

The Halt at Bennebrock

Stoutenburg is orchestrating the abduction and journey, whispering orders and ensuring Gilda remains unaware of her location.

An Understanding

Identified by Gilda as the paymaster behind the abduction; Diogenes connects him to a plot against the Stadtholder.

A Grief-Stricken Father

Sits hidden in a dark recess of the tapperij, observing the proceedings with contempt, and later follows Nicolaes out.

XXIII: A Spy from the Camp

Paces restlessly, driven by revenge; plans to find Diogenes via the Spanish wench and orders Jan to follow the knave.

The Birth of Hate

Seeks out the Spanish girl to extract information about Diogenes and Gilda; confronts Diogenes and is humiliated.

XXV: An Arrant Knave

Plans to capture Diogenes and Gilda, orders Jan to track Diogenes and seize him if he turns back toward Haarlem, vows revenge and asserts Gilda will be his wife.

Back to Houdekerk

Mentioned in Diogenes' reflections as the man Gilda loves, a cruel and unscrupulous figure.

XXXI: The Molens

Driven by fear of betrayal, he pressures Beresteyn to move Gilda to the molens and orchestrates the plan to retrieve her.

The Captive Lion

Paces like a caged beast, questions Jan eagerly about Gilda and Diogenes, strikes the prisoner in fury, and orders him left bound overnight.

XXXIV: Protestations

Visits Gilda to profess his love and innocence, claiming he rescued her from brigands. He orchestrates an interview with Diogenes to further his scheme.

The Witness for the Defence

Accuses Diogenes of lying, forgery, and theft; produces a forged bond to discredit him; consumed by jealousy and hatred, determined to see Diogenes hanged.

XXXVI: Brother Philosophers

Referred to as 'my lord', he is the mastermind behind the conspiracy and has ordered Diogenes' execution.

Dawn

Paces restlessly, consumed by hatred for the Stadtholder and jealousy of Diogenes; orders the gibbet built, believing Diogenes is an evil genius.

The Hour

Mentioned as the one who ordered the execution and is currently with Gilda.

XXXIX: “Sauve Qui Peut”

Mentioned as the lord who ordered the gibbet and sent Lucas to spy; his plot is now betrayed.

XL: The Loser Pays

Accuses Gilda of betrayal, reveals he has ordered a gibbet for Diogenes, and prepares to flee as the plot unravels.

XLI: “Vengeance Is Mine”

Consumed by rage and despair after his plot fails; he finds the prisoner gone and his men scattered, then turns to thoughts of Gilda as his last hope.

XLII: The Fight in the Doorway

Defeated and disarmed by Diogenes, then allowed to flee northwards with Jan.

XLIII: Leyden Once More

Stoutenburg is recalled in Gilda's memories: his visit to the hut, his deception, his fury, and his threats of vengeance against Diogenes.