Nina Michailovna

Vera Michailovna

Sisters with a deep, complex bond, often protective and confiding in each other.

Jerry Lawrence

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

Henry Bohun

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

Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov

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

Nicholas Markovitch

Nicholas and Nina are friendly and supportive, often acting as intermediaries in the love triangle.

Ivan Andreievitch

Ivan is a relative or close family friend of Nina, offering paternal advice and protection.

Durdles

Durdles is a servant or employee in Nina's household, with a formal but loyal relationship.

Vera Michailovna

Sisters with a deep, complex bond, often protective and confiding in each other.

Vera Michailovna

Sisters with a deep, complex bond, often protective and confiding in each other.

Durdles

Durdles is a servant or employee in Nina's household, with a formal but loyal relationship.

Nicholas Markovitch

Nicholas and Nina are friendly and supportive, often acting as intermediaries in the love triangle.

Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov

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

Part I: Vera and Nina

Portrayed as young and impulsive, her actions may drive pivotal plot developments.

I

Mentioned as someone the narrator has known intimately.

VI

Vera's younger sister, a pretty, childish girl with brown hair and a love for bright, clashing clothes and sweets.

Chapter VII

In a furious rage over being stood up by Michael Alexandrovitch; her outburst disrupts the evening.

VIII

Vera discusses Nina's changed behavior, her constant outings, and her growing distance from Vera.

IX

Nina laughs at Bohun and imitates him, causing him to feel hurt and isolated. Her chaffing is good-natured but insensitive.

XII

Immensely happy as hostess, excited and joyous, like a young kitten or puppy in a white frock.

XIII

Briefly mentioned as Semyonov greets her at the party.

XVI

Vera's younger sister, source of Vera's anxiety; arrives at the end of the chapter.

Chapter XVII

Visits Durward with flowers and fruit, chattering about cinemas and the upcoming Masquerade; expresses deep disillusionment with the war and Russia.

XIX

Turns eighteen; sends a playful note to Durward insisting he attend her birthday party.

XXI

Dressed in white silk with blue bows; puts her hand on Lawrence's knee, confesses her jealousy of Vera, and threatens to run away with Boris Grogoff.

XXII

Birthday girl; initially cheerful, then controls the situation after the glass-throwing incident by kissing Grogoff.

Part II: Lawrence

Vera's younger sister; her actions and fate are a source of tension.

II

Mentioned in connection with Lawrence's realization of Vera's love after Nina's party.

III

Mentioned in Durward's thoughts as someone he wanted to be friends with, now seeming remote.

IV

Referenced by Semyonov as part of his family that Durward should leave alone.

Nina's Day

The central figure of the chapter; her youth, love for Lawrence, and fatalistic confidence are explored in depth.

VII

Subdued after an afternoon walk with Lawrence; reveals her love for Lawrence to the narrator; expresses fear and superstition about the quiet city.

IX

Mentioned as having gone to the Astoria with Vera; Bohun is worried for her safety.

XI

Markovitch fears Grogoff will carry her off.

XII

Returns frightened after encountering a dead man and machine-gun fire; seeks comfort from Vera.

XIV

Passes through the flat and later appears briefly in the doorway, her white frightened face glimpsed by Markovitch.

II

Seen approaching Durward at the end of the chapter on the Quay.

III

Found crying by the river; reveals Semyonov has moved in and Nicholas is changed.

IV

Nina has left her family to live with Grogoff; she is defiant but appears childish and pale.

V

Has run away with Grogoff; sends a cryptic message to Vera about something she saw on the Thursday of Revolution week.

VI

Runs away with Boris Grogoff, causing Vera immense distress and guilt.

IX

Briefly appears at the party; asks about Vera but refuses to return home; says she is 'all right'.

XIII

Mentioned by Markovitch as being influenced by Semyonov to laugh at him.

XV

The damsel in distress; Bohun rescues her from Grogoff's flat; she appears tired, ill, and disheveled.