John Maltravers

Constance Temple

Constance is John's devoted sister, but her intense emotional attachment and concern for him borders on romantic obsession.

Mr. Gaskell

Gaskell is John's loyal and trusted servant, managing his household and personal affairs with deep devotion.

Adrian Temple

Adrian is John's brother-in-law (married to his sister), and their relationship is cordial but marked by Adrian's suspicion of John's obsession.

Sir Edward Maltravers

Sir Edward is John's father, and their relationship is formal and strained, with Sir Edward disapproving of John's reckless pursuits.

Dr. Frobisher

Dr. Frobisher is John's physician and confidant, trying to diagnose and treat John's mysterious psychological decline.

Mr. George Smart

George Smart is John's close friend and fellow student, though he becomes increasingly concerned about John's dark transformation.

Parnham

Parnham is John's college servant or porter, providing minor services and witnessing John's erratic behavior.

Raffaelle Carotenuto

Carotenuto is the ghostly Italian musician whose spirit possesses John, driving him to obsession and madness.

Royston

Royston is a fellow student and acquaintance of John's, part of his social circle at Oxford.

Dr. Sarsdell

Dr. Sarsdell is another physician consulted about John's condition, offering a more skeptical or scientific perspective.

Graziani

Graziani is a mysterious Italian figure connected to the Carotenuto legacy, appearing to John as a harbinger of his doom.

Constance Temple

Constance is John's devoted sister, but her intense emotional attachment and concern for him borders on romantic obsession.

The Lost Stradivarius

The protagonist, whose life is irrevocably altered by the supernatural events and the discovery of the violin.

Miss Sophia Maltravers’ Story

Central figure in Sophia's story; his obsession with the violin and his marriage to Constance are key events.

I

Discovers the Graziani manuscript and experiences the mysterious chair creaking while playing the gagliarda.

II

Observes a penumbra or mist in the chair during the gagliarda, suggesting a supernatural presence.

Chapter III

Experiences the supernatural apparition in his rooms; later hosts the Temple family in Oxford and shows interest in Constance.

IV

Agitated and fearful after seeing the apparition, he confides in Gaskell and reluctantly agrees to replay the music.

V

Spends the summer at Worth Maltravers, confides in Sophia about the apparition and his love for Constance, plays the gagliarda.

Chapter VI

Discovers the hidden violin behind a panel in his room.

VII

Discovers the Stradivarius violin in a hidden cupboard, conceals it from others, and seeks expert appraisal in London.

Chapter VIII

Returns home for Christmas, appears changed and secretive; faints at the ball at Royston and is confined to bed.

IX

Recovers from illness, becomes engaged, and plays the Stradivarius in secret, refusing to share it with Gaskell.

The Summer and the Wedding

Shows increasing emotional distance from Constance, plays the Stradivarius obsessively, and becomes more withdrawn and moody.

Chapter XI

Plays the gagliarda obsessively; shows indifference to Constance.

XII

Found gravely ill in Italy; has abandoned his family and is wasting away.

XIII

Gravely ill, weak, and nostalgic; avoids discussing the past, plans to show Sophia something in Naples.

XIV

Leads his sister to a grim discovery, revealing the remains of Adrian Temple and the hall from Gaskell's vision.

XV

Shows weakness and exhaustion, but improves mentally during journey; insists on bringing the Stradivarius; sleepwalks and plays violin on Christmas morning.

Mr. Gaskell’s Note

Subject of the narrative; his obsession with the past and the violin leads to his ruin.