# Mr. Mandeville — The Sword of Damocles character guide > Mr. Mandeville in The Sword of Damocles by Anna Katharine Green. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Bertram Mandeville, Mandeville, Bertram **First appearance:** 0004-i-a-wanderer ## Snapshot Bertram Mandeville, a nephew of Mr. Sylvester, arrives at the house of sudden death to offer sympathy and finds his uncle's face altered by something beyond grief. ## Who they are Bertram Mandeville moves through the Sylvester household as a young man of feeling, sickened by the mockery of luxury's bronze image when death has emptied the halls of the woman who was luxury itself. When he knocks at the door with the strange lock, he finds his uncle wearing a wild and paralyzed look that makes his face almost that of a stranger, and is drawn into a private room where Mr. Sylvester asks whether he would perform a son's work and obey without questions. His willing assent binds him to a family secret whose weight shapes the middle of the book. ## Relationships ### [Mr. Sylvester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/characters/mr_sylvester) _professional_ Mr. Mandeville is a business associate of Mr. Sylvester, bound by financial and political interests. ### [Mr. Sylvester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/characters/mr_sylvester) _professional_ Mr. Mandeville is a business associate of Mr. Sylvester, bound by financial and political interests. ### [Mr. Sylvester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/characters/mr_sylvester) _professional_ Mr. Mandeville is a business associate of Mr. Sylvester, bound by financial and political interests. ## In the story ### [Book I: Two Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/book-i-two-men) Introduced as the other man; a passionate musician, also in love with Paula. ### [II: A Discussion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/ii-a-discussion) A successful pianist considering abandoning his career for Wall Street, driven by love. ### [III: A Mysterious Summons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/iii-a-mysterious-summons) The protagonist, a pianist who receives a mysterious summons and decides to follow it. ### [The Rubicon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/v-the-rubicon) Resolves to see Miss Preston again and arranges a meeting. He confronts Mr. Preston about his profession, hoping to win his approval, but is met with disdain. ### [A Hand Clasp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/vi-a-hand-clasp) The narrator who decides to give up music and seek a banker's office to win esteem and success. ### [XIII: The End of My Lady's Picture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xiii-the-end-of-my-lady-s-picture) Now calling himself Bertram Sylvester; visits his uncle's home, plays piano, and is struck by Paula's appreciation of music. ### [Life and Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/book-ii-life-and-death) Decides to leave music, reflecting on his artistic ambitions. ### [The Dregs in the Cup](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xx-the-dregs-in-the-cup) Bertram, the nephew, is eager to help his uncle and accepts the secret commission without question. ### [Book IV: From A. To Z.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/book-iv-from-a-to-z) A musician whose decisions reflect the theme of sacrifice and ambition. ### [XXX: Miss Belinda Presents Mr. Sylvester with a Christmas Gift](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xxx-miss-belinda-presents-mr-sylvester-with-a-christmas-gift) Bertram, present at the gathering, happy about his promotion and the invitation from Mr. Stuyvesant. ### [Full Tide](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xxxii-full-tide) In a state of repressed expectancy, his joy over Cicely's affection is palpable. ### [XXXIV: Paula Makes Her Choice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xxxiv-paula-makes-her-choice) Visits his uncle, excited about his own romantic prospects, leaves for his engagement. ### [Miss Belinda Makes Conditions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xxxv-miss-belinda-makes-conditions) Trembles and stands aghast when telling his uncle about the robbery. He is visibly distressed, with a burning flush and then a steady pallor, and he fears the discovery will undo him. ### [XXXVII: The Opinion of a Certain Noted Detective](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-opinion-of-a-certain-noted-detective) Present during the interrogation, his pale countenance and quivering lip suggest inner turmoil; he is called out during the questioning. ### [Half-Past Seven](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xl-half-past-seven) Pacing the library, anxious about Mr. Sylvester's absence, and reluctantly agrees to take Paula to him. ### [XLII: Paula Relates a Story She Has Heard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xlii-paula-relates-a-story-she-has-heard) Arrives with Paula and offers to take over responsibilities, showing relief at the resolution. ### [The Man Cummins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xlvi-the-man-cummins) Present at the wedding, discusses the search for Hopgood, and witnesses Cummins's revelation. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/characters/mr_mandeville - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/characters