Count de St. Alyre

Monsieur Carmaignac

The Count and Carmaignac are adversaries, with Carmaignac suspecting the Count of criminal activity.

Richard

Richard is a servant or employee of the Count, assisting in his household affairs.

Marquis d'Harmonville

The Marquis and the Count are secret enemies, with the Marquis working to expose the Count's crimes.

Planard

Planard is an accomplice of the Count, assisting in his schemes against the narrator.

Colonel Gaillarde

Colonel Gaillarde and the Count are polite but distant acquaintances in the local social scene.

Monsieur Carmaignac

The Count and Carmaignac are adversaries, with Carmaignac suspecting the Count of criminal activity.

Planard

Planard is an accomplice of the Count, assisting in his schemes against the narrator.

Marquis d'Harmonville

The Marquis and the Count are secret enemies, with the Marquis working to expose the Count's crimes.

Richard

Richard is a servant or employee of the Count, assisting in his household affairs.

Monsieur Carmaignac

The Count and Carmaignac are adversaries, with Carmaignac suspecting the Count of criminal activity.

Colonel Gaillarde

Colonel Gaillarde and the Count are polite but distant acquaintances in the local social scene.

Colonel Gaillarde

Colonel Gaillarde and the Count are polite but distant acquaintances in the local social scene.

I: On the Road

The elderly invalid gentleman in the broken-down carriage, wearing a black muffler and black wig; he thanks the narrator profusely in French.

II: The Innyard of the Belle Étoile

The elderly gentleman with a black wig and reedy voice; the Countess's husband or guardian; his voice is heard approaching during the narrator's conversation with the Countess.

III: Death and Love Together Mated

Speaks with a reedy, nasal voice; rebukes the Countess for singing and shuts the window abruptly.

Supper at the Belle Étoile

Mentioned by the Marquis as a man of honour who is jealously protective of his young wife; not present at supper.

The Naked Sword

Confronted by Colonel Gaillarde while trying to leave the inn; his face is partly covered by a black silk scarf.

VII: The White Rose

Flees the scene quickly after the altercation, leaving the Countess to be escorted by the narrator.

IX: Gossip and Counsel

Mentioned as jealous, intelligent, and living quietly with his wife; involved in a dispute over the Countess's diamonds.

X: The Black Veil

Seen briefly in the barouche with the Countess.

XI: The Dragon Volant

Owner of the Château de la Carque; described as old, possibly poor, and married to a young and handsome wife.

XII: The Magician

Present in a domino mask, consults the magician and receives personal and unsettling answers about his marriage and a secret settlement.

XIII: The Oracle Tells Me Wonders

Briefly mentioned as having gone away to look for his wife.

XIV: Mademoiselle de la Vallière

Jealous and cunning; avoids introducing the narrator to his wife as predicted.

XVI: The Parc of the Château de la Carque

Mentioned as the jealous husband of the Countess.

XVII: The Tenant of the Palanquin

Appears at the narrator's hotel with his arm in a sling, requesting help with funeral arrangements for his cousin.

XIX: The Key

Mentioned as the husband from whom the Countess plans to flee; he will attend the funeral of Monsieur de St. Amand.

XX: A High-Cauld-Cap

Mentioned as the jealous husband whose suspicions the old woman fears.

XXII: Rapture

Mentioned as having gone to Père la Chaise with the funeral.

XXIV: Hope

Enters the room, counts the narrator's gold and notes with the Countess, and complains about Planard's delay.

XXV: Despair

The Count assists Planard in examining the narrator and prepares the coffin.

XXVI: Catastrophe

Executed for his role in the conspiracy.