Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov

Nicholas Markovitch

Close friends and intellectual companions, often discussing ideas and supporting each other.

Vera Michailovna

Alexei is a loyal friend to Vera, offering counsel and emotional support.

Nina Michailovna

Alexei and Nina are close friends, sharing intellectual interests and mutual respect.

Henry Bohun

Alexei and Henry are intellectual and romantic rivals, frequently at odds.

Ivan Andreievitch

Alexei and Ivan share a respectful friendship, often discussing politics and philosophy.

Nicholas Markovitch

Close friends and intellectual companions, often discussing ideas and supporting each other.

Nicholas Markovitch

Close friends and intellectual companions, often discussing ideas and supporting each other.

Vera Michailovna

Alexei is a loyal friend to Vera, offering counsel and emotional support.

Vera Michailovna

Alexei is a loyal friend to Vera, offering counsel and emotional support.

Henry Bohun

Alexei and Henry are intellectual and romantic rivals, frequently at odds.

Ivan Andreievitch

Alexei and Ivan share a respectful friendship, often discussing politics and philosophy.

Nina Michailovna

Alexei and Nina are close friends, sharing intellectual interests and mutual respect.

I

Mentioned as someone the narrator has known intimately.

VI

Mentioned as Vera's uncle, serving on the Galician front; the narrator knew him well from the war.

Chapter VII

Uncle Ivan; arrives dressed smartly, in a state of excitement, and makes awkward conversation.

XII

Appears suddenly in the doorway at the end of the party, causing Markovitch's face to stiffen.

XIII

Arrives unexpectedly at the party, causing a somber atmosphere; engages Durward in tense conversation.

XIV

Haunts the narrator's fever dreams, watching and sneering at him throughout his illness.

XV

Visits Markovitches; Bohun finds him decent, Lawrence hates him.

XIX

Seen by Durward at the Jews' Market, advancing from the church and waving.

XX

Confronts Durward in the market, reveals his knowledge of Vera and Lawrence's feelings, and tells a disturbing story about a man who sought death through manipulation.

XXII

Quiet observer; flatters Markovitch and seems to anticipate the conflict.

II

Recalled in Durward's flashbacks to the war; his return triggered memories.

III

Appears in Durward's memory, smiling behind the others.

IV

Visits Durward to demand he leave Russia and stop interfering with Vera and Nina.

V

Mentioned as part of the mysterious figure; the narrator feels relieved after his evening with Semyonov.

Nina's Day

Manipulates Nina by pretending to support her love for Lawrence, while secretly plotting to turn her against Markovitch's inventions.

VII

Watches Markovitch with a speculative smile during dinner.

VIII

Mentioned as watching Markovitch at the previous evening's gathering.

IX

Mentioned as having tea with Vera and Nina at the Astoria; Bohun distrusts him.

XI

Reminds Markovitch of past happiness with Vera and doubts his experiments.

XII

Sneers at the Revolution and provokes Vera by mentioning Lawrence's danger.

Part III: Markovitch and Semyonov

Semyonov's perspective on the revolution is explored, showing his adaptability and cynical realism.

II

Mentioned as someone Durward wonders about, but who has not visited him.

III

Has moved into the Markovitch flat, displacing Nicholas's inventions.

IV

Semyonov is now living in the Markovitch flat, which the narrator sees as a troubling development.

V

Moves into the Markovitch flat; described as amiable but mocking, and suspected of influencing Nina's actions.

VI

Vera's uncle; she has hated him since childhood; he has a manipulative influence over Nicholas; plans to move into the flat.

VII

Discussed by Markovitch as living with them, influencing him, and being cynical.

VIII

Taunts Nicholas about the Revolution and his relationship with Vera, provoking the confrontation.

IX

Mentioned in Bohun's account of the tense atmosphere at the Markovitch flat; his musical box is a source of irritation.

Chapter X

Lawrence refers to Semyonov as a 'swine' and 'devil' who is ragging Nicholas about the kiss, exacerbating the situation.

XI

Visits the narrator to say goodbye, appearing haggard and speaking cryptically about his departure and his obsession with a woman the narrator knew.

XII

Provokes Markovitch with taunts about his failures and the Revolution, remaining calm and mocking throughout the confrontation.

XIII

Manipulates Markovitch, urging him to keep Lawrence in Russia to make Vera unhappy; Durward fears him.

XVI

The target of Markovitch's pursuit; he is shot by Markovitch at Katerinhof and dies with a triumphant cry of 'At last!'