# Fulk Ephrinell — The Special Correspondent character guide > Fulk Ephrinell in The Special Correspondent by Jules Verne. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Ephrinell, Mr. Ephrinell, Fulk, Mr. Fulk Ephrinell **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A brisk American merchant who boards the Grand Transasiatic with marriage on his mind, hunting witnesses before the train even clears the Caspian. ## Who they are Ephrinell approaches Claudius Bombarnac on the gangway with the solemn air of a man closing a deal, only to ask him to witness his wedding to Miss Horatia Bluett. He is a Yankee who cannot wait: rather than marry in Peking, he intends to hold the ceremony aboard the moving train, and he methodically recruits witnesses among the passengers. His commercial impatience and cheerful disregard for convention make him one of the journey's most reliable sources of comic momentum. ## Relationships ### [Miss Horatia Bluett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/characters/miss_horatia_bluett) _romantic_ Fulk Ephrinell is a suitor to Miss Horatia Bluett, though his motives may be mercenary. ### [Faruskiar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/characters/faruskiar) _rivalry_ Faruskiar and Fulk Ephrinell are competitors in business and romantic interests. ### [Major Noltitz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/characters/major_noltitz) _rivalry_ Fulk Ephrinell and Major Noltitz are rivals, often clashing over business or status. ### [Miss Horatia Bluett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/characters/miss_horatia_bluett) _romantic_ Fulk Ephrinell is a suitor to Miss Horatia Bluett, though his motives may be mercenary. ### [Miss Horatia Bluett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/characters/miss_horatia_bluett) _romantic_ Fulk Ephrinell is a suitor to Miss Horatia Bluett, though his motives may be mercenary. ## In the story ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/ii) American commercial traveler for Strong, Bulbul & Co.; describes the company's vast industrial scale. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/iii) An American businessman frantically loading forty-two cases of artificial teeth from Strong, Bulbul & Co. onto the steamer. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/iv) American traveling to China with cases of teeth; introduces Miss Bluett and shares dinner conversation. ### [Uzun Ada and the Grand Transasiatic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/v) An American passenger whose baggage fills the front van; he is noted as one of the travelers. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/vi) American passenger; sits with Miss Horatia Bluett, talking only of figures; has 'left' Claudius. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/ix) An American commercial traveler, seen checking on his cases and conversing with Claudius. ### [Merv and the Desert Crossing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/x) American commercial traveler; comments on Merv's Yankee character and discusses hair trade with Horatia Bluett. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xiv) American traveler; sits with Miss Horatia Bluett, hinting at a possible wedding. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xvii) Engaged in commercial conversation with Miss Bluett, hoping for a war to boost trade. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xviii) Announces his intention to marry Horatia Bluett in the train; asks Claudius to be a witness. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xix) Groom, appears with a pencil behind his ear, ready for the wedding. ### [The Aftermath of the Attack](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xxi) Works diligently on repairs; his marriage is postponed. ### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xxii) Groom; negotiates the marriage percentage with Horatia; gives a dinner for witnesses and passengers. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xxiii) Makes business calls in Lan-Tcheou; sits silently with his wife at dinner. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xxvi) Departs the station with Mrs. Ephrinell, but they address each other formally and separate in different directions. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/characters/fulk_ephrinell - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/characters