Jerry Lawrence

Vera Michailovna

Jerry is a foreign admirer of Vera, creating a love triangle with Nicholas.

Nina Michailovna

Jerry and Nina share a warm, platonic friendship, often acting as confidants.

Henry Bohun

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

Nicholas Markovitch

Jerry and Nicholas are direct rivals for Vera's love, leading to tension and jealousy.

Baron Wilderling

Baron Wilderling and Jerry are acquaintances in the expatriate community, with occasional interactions.

Henry Bohun

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

Vera Michailovna

Jerry is a foreign admirer of Vera, creating a love triangle with Nicholas.

Nina Michailovna

Jerry and Nina share a warm, platonic friendship, often acting as confidants.

Nicholas Markovitch

Jerry and Nicholas are direct rivals for Vera's love, leading to tension and jealousy.

Vera Michailovna

Jerry is a foreign admirer of Vera, creating a love triangle with Nicholas.

Baron Wilderling

Baron Wilderling and Jerry are acquaintances in the expatriate community, with occasional interactions.

Henry Bohun

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

The Secret City

An experienced expatriate who guides Bohun and provides insight into the local conditions.

I

Mentioned as someone the narrator has known intimately.

II

Travels with Bohun to Petrograd; the two have decided they have nothing in common, and the narrator's sympathy is with Lawrence.

III

Bohun's traveling companion, former Cambridge rugby captain, spent 15 years in Russia, reluctant to return, appears indifferent and uncommunicative.

IV

Parts ways with Bohun at the station, plans to stay at the Astoria.

VIII

Lawrence meets Durward at Vera's flat, initially awkward but later shares a moment of silent sympathy with Vera.

XII

The success of the dinner; cheerful, dependable, tolerant, and understanding of the Russian character.

XV

Disliked by English community; Vera Michailovna likes him.

Chapter XVII

Meets Durward on Nevski Prospect; apologizes for not visiting and invites him to dinner.

Chapter XVIII

Paying guest at the Wilderlings; confesses his love for Vera Markovitch to Durward.

XIX

Mentioned as having vanished into the snow; Durward has not seen him for a fortnight.

XX

Mentioned as being in love with Vera, with Semyonov claiming Markovitch suspects the affair.

XXI

Sits next to Nina initially; later tactfully asks Durward to take his seat beside her.

Part II: Lawrence

Central perspective character; an Englishman observing and participating in Petrograd society.

I

Mentioned by Markovitch and Bohun; Bohun defends him, saying he is not in love with Markovitch's wife.

II

Appears greatly changed and troubled; Durward senses he is in the midst of a personal crisis over his love for Vera.

III

Mentioned in Durward's thoughts and conversation; Vera reacts violently to the suggestion he return to England.

IV

Mentioned by Semyonov as the object of Vera and Nina's affection, admired for his fidelity.

Nina's Day

The object of Nina's affection; she loves his strength, silence, and even his stupidity.

VII

Struggles to contain his feelings for Vera; visibly shaken and restless; walks ahead with Vera but is met with her coldness.

XII

Mentioned as being in danger with Wilderling; Vera's love for him is a central conflict.

XIII

Lawrence is the central figure, grappling with his love for Vera and his duty. He witnesses Wilderling's execution and decides to go to Vera.

XIV

Arrives shortly after Vera, described as having a triumphant face, and kisses her passionately.

II

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

VI

Vera's lover; she has not had a moment alone with him since her surrender; he visits but she avoids being alone with him.

Chapter X

In a state of tremendous excitement, Lawrence confesses his love for Vera and his desperation over the situation with Nicholas and Semyonov, deciding he must leave for England.

XI

Mentioned by Semyonov as 'our English Byron' and a possible figure in the conflict.

XIII

Vera's love; plans to return to England, causing Markovitch's despair.

XIV

Vera's lover, who is returning to England; Vera confesses her love and despair over his departure.