Duncan Campbell

Margaret

Duncan Campbell is Margaret's father or close male guardian, deeply protective of her and aware of her tragic destiny.

Nurse

Duncan Campbell and the nurse interact as caretakers of the narrator and Margaret, coordinating care and sharing observations.

Janet

Duncan Campbell is Janet's employer or elder relative, with Janet serving in his household and being loyal to the family.

Margaret

Duncan Campbell is Margaret's father or close male guardian, deeply protective of her and aware of her tragic destiny.

Nurse

Duncan Campbell and the nurse interact as caretakers of the narrator and Margaret, coordinating care and sharing observations.

Dedication

The dedicatee, Duncan McColl, is addressed as 'my dear sir' and 'my father's friend.'

The Portent

Central figure of the tale, whose experiences with second sight are the focus.

II: The Second Hearing

Hears the mysterious horse sound again and is deeply unsettled; visits his nurse seeking explanation.

III: My Old Nurse's Story

Duncan is the protagonist, now nineteen, about to leave home for a tutoring position. He is deeply affected by his nurse's story and prophecy, and he experiences a supernatural warning and a near-fatal accident.

IV: Hilton Hall

Departs from home, travels to London, and arrives at Hilton Hall, experiencing strange omens and déjà vu.

The Library

Finds solace in the library, cataloguing books and discovering a hidden world of literature.

The First Waking

Carries Lady Alice to safety, confesses his actions, and experiences the onset of love for her.

X: Love and Power

Struggles with his new power of will, which he uses to summon Lady Alice, and later resists the temptation to do so again.

A New Pupil

Teaches Lady Alice, observes her progress, and struggles with his feelings.

XIII: Questioning

Experiences intense emotional turmoil and joy, struggling to maintain his sanity and duties. He questions whether he should leave, but is persuaded by Lady Alice's arguments.

XIV: Jealousy

Consumed by maddening jealousy during Alice's absence, tormented by the thought of her having another love in her unconscious state.

The Clanking Shoe

Discusses the poem with Alice, plans elopement, enlists in army, searches for Alice for years, returns to Hilton Hall.

XVII: The Physician

Now Captain Campbell, recovering from a severe illness, reflecting on his past and his love for Lady Alice.

Old Friends

Returns to his birthplace after years of service, recognized by an old servant.

Chapter XX: Margaret

Seeks Margaret's help, shares his story, and receives her final blessing and a cross before her death.

XXI: Hilton

Returns to Hilton in disguise, seeking news of Lady Alice. He is devastated by the gardener's report of her madness.

XXII: The Sleeper

Returns to Hilton Hall after years of wandering and war, seeking Lady Alice.

XXIII: My Old Room

Returns to his old room, overwhelmed by memory and the return of the past. He is reunited with the sleepwalking Alice and must navigate her lack of awareness of the twelve years that have passed.

XXIV: Prison-Breaking

Resolved to break into Hilton Hall to rescue Alice, using his power of will to summon her at night.

New Entrenchments

Takes up concealed residence in Hilton Hall to be near Lady Alice during the day, determined to restore her memory and rekindle their love.

Escape

Plans and executes the escape, showing resourcefulness and determination.