# Jerry Lawrence — The Secret City character guide > Jerry Lawrence in The Secret City by Hugh Walpole. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Lawrence, Jerry, Mr. Lawrence, Jeremy, Jeremy Ralph Lawrence **First appearance:** 0004-i ## Who they are A Cambridge man who spent his first fifteen years in Russia and refuses to speak of it, he is transferred to Petrograd against his will and meets Bohun on the Jupiter. ## Relationships ### [Vera Michailovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters/vera_michailovna) _romantic_ Jerry is a foreign admirer of Vera, creating a love triangle with Nicholas. ### [Nina Michailovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters/nina_michailovna) _friendship_ Jerry and Nina share a warm, platonic friendship, often acting as confidants. ### [Henry Bohun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters/henry_bohun) _rivalry_ Henry and Jerry are rivals for Vera's attention, leading to frequent clashes. ### [Nicholas Markovitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters/nicholas_markovitch) _rivalry_ Jerry and Nicholas are direct rivals for Vera's love, leading to tension and jealousy. ### [Baron Wilderling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters/baron_wilderling) _social_ Baron Wilderling and Jerry are acquaintances in the expatriate community, with occasional interactions. ### [Henry Bohun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters/henry_bohun) _rivalry_ Henry and Jerry are rivals for Vera's attention, leading to frequent clashes. ### [Vera Michailovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters/vera_michailovna) _romantic_ Jerry is a foreign admirer of Vera, creating a love triangle with Nicholas. ### [Nina Michailovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters/nina_michailovna) _friendship_ Jerry and Nina share a warm, platonic friendship, often acting as confidants. ### [Nicholas Markovitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters/nicholas_markovitch) _rivalry_ Jerry and Nicholas are direct rivals for Vera's love, leading to tension and jealousy. ### [Vera Michailovna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters/vera_michailovna) _romantic_ Jerry is a foreign admirer of Vera, creating a love triangle with Nicholas. ### [Baron Wilderling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters/baron_wilderling) _social_ Baron Wilderling and Jerry are acquaintances in the expatriate community, with occasional interactions. ### [Henry Bohun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters/henry_bohun) _rivalry_ Henry and Jerry are rivals for Vera's attention, leading to frequent clashes. ## In the story ### [The Secret City](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/the-secret-city) An experienced expatriate who guides Bohun and provides insight into the local conditions. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as someone the narrator has known intimately. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/ii) Travels with Bohun to Petrograd; the two have decided they have nothing in common, and the narrator's sympathy is with Lawrence. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/iii) Bohun's traveling companion, former Cambridge rugby captain, spent 15 years in Russia, reluctant to return, appears indifferent and uncommunicative. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/iv) Parts ways with Bohun at the station, plans to stay at the Astoria. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/viii) Lawrence meets Durward at Vera's flat, initially awkward but later shares a moment of silent sympathy with Vera. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/xii) The success of the dinner; cheerful, dependable, tolerant, and understanding of the Russian character. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/xv) Disliked by English community; Vera Michailovna likes him. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/xvii) Meets Durward on Nevski Prospect; apologizes for not visiting and invites him to dinner. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/xviii) Paying guest at the Wilderlings; confesses his love for Vera Markovitch to Durward. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/xix) Mentioned as having vanished into the snow; Durward has not seen him for a fortnight. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/xx) Mentioned as being in love with Vera, with Semyonov claiming Markovitch suspects the affair. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/xxi) Sits next to Nina initially; later tactfully asks Durward to take his seat beside her. ### [Part II: Lawrence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/part-ii-lawrence) Central perspective character; an Englishman observing and participating in Petrograd society. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/i) Mentioned by Markovitch and Bohun; Bohun defends him, saying he is not in love with Markovitch's wife. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/ii) Appears greatly changed and troubled; Durward senses he is in the midst of a personal crisis over his love for Vera. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned in Durward's thoughts and conversation; Vera reacts violently to the suggestion he return to England. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned by Semyonov as the object of Vera and Nina's affection, admired for his fidelity. ### [Nina's Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/vi) The object of Nina's affection; she loves his strength, silence, and even his stupidity. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/vii) Struggles to contain his feelings for Vera; visibly shaken and restless; walks ahead with Vera but is met with her coldness. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/xii) Mentioned as being in danger with Wilderling; Vera's love for him is a central conflict. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/xiv) Arrives shortly after Vera, described as having a triumphant face, and kisses her passionately. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as someone Durward wonders about, but who has not visited him. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/xi) Mentioned by Semyonov as 'our English Byron' and a possible figure in the conflict. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/xiii) Vera's love; plans to return to England, causing Markovitch's despair. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/xiv) Vera's lover, who is returning to England; Vera confesses her love and despair over his departure. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters/jerry_lawrence - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_city_se/characters