Henry Bohun

Nicholas Markovitch

Henry and Nicholas are competitors for Vera's affection, leading to mutual antagonism.

Nina Michailovna

Henry and Nina are acquaintances moving in the same social circles, with polite but distant interactions.

Jerry Lawrence

Henry and Jerry are rivals for Vera's attention, leading to frequent clashes.

Vera Michailovna

Henry is infatuated with Vera, pursuing her aggressively despite her mixed signals.

Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov

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

Nicholas Markovitch

Henry and Nicholas are competitors for Vera's affection, leading to mutual antagonism.

Nicholas Markovitch

Henry and Nicholas are competitors for Vera's affection, leading to mutual antagonism.

Vera Michailovna

Henry is infatuated with Vera, pursuing her aggressively despite her mixed signals.

Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov

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

Jerry Lawrence

Henry and Jerry are rivals for Vera's attention, leading to frequent clashes.

Nina Michailovna

Henry and Nina are acquaintances moving in the same social circles, with polite but distant interactions.

Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov

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

The Secret City

A young Englishman arriving in Petrograd, representing the naive perspective of an outsider.

I

Mentioned as someone the narrator has known intimately.

II

Arrives in Petrograd as a self-satisfied young poet, having published 'Discipline: Sonnets and Poems' and cultivated a superficial knowledge of Russian language and culture.

III

Young Englishman traveling to Russia, patronizing and idealistic, humiliated at Swedish customs.

IV

Arrives at the France Hotel, feels miserable and lonely, falls asleep and dreams.

V

Explores Petrograd and visits a cathedral, feeling both romantic and overwhelmed by the experience.

Chapter VII

Newly arrived English guest; his entrance causes a stir and highlights the family's social unease.

VIII

Lawrence is looking for Bohun, who is staying with the Markovitch family.

IX

Bohun is miserable and lonely in Petrograd, struggling with the unfamiliar environment and feeling humiliated by the city's indifference. He is comforted by Vera Michailovna's kindness and becomes more confident during the walk to the cinema.

XII

Shy and uncomfortable, distressed by the noise and boisterousness, seated between a giggling girl and a deaf old lady.

XIII

Introduced to Semyonov at the party.

XV

Visits Durward, confesses love for Vera Michailovna.

XXI

Looks after Vera during the circus performance.

Part II: Lawrence

Lawrence's colleague; represents a more detached English perspective.

I

Lonely and frightened, he goes to the narrator's apartment and finds Markovitch there. He tries to reassure Markovitch about Lawrence's intentions.

IV

Mentioned briefly as one of Durward's English friends.

VIII

Durward visits Bohun at his propaganda office; Bohun is working earnestly but seems naive about the revolution.

IX

Durward's companion; remains calm and decisive amid the chaos.

II

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

III

Mentioned as wanting to force his way in to see Durward.

V

Visits Durward to discuss Markovitch's decline, Semyonov's arrival, and Nina's flight; reflects on his own growth and understanding of Russia.

VIII

Mentioned as being with friends during the Easter gathering.

IX

Persuades Durward to attend Rozanov's party; argues passionately against Russian pacifism and surrender to Germany; expresses unease about the Markovitch flat.

Chapter X

Depressed and shy after his outburst, Bohun walks with Durward and reflects on the seriousness of the Markovitch situation.

XII

Observes the escalating tension between Markovitch and Semyonov, feels protective of Markovitch, and later witnesses Markovitch's nocturnal actions with a revolver.

XIV

Answers the narrator's phone call at the Markovitch flat, reporting that Nicholas is asleep and Semyonov is out.

XV

The hero of the chapter; undertakes a knightly rescue of Nina from Grogoff's flat.