Characters
(Great Characters in Literature)
Characters Discussed
Countess Andrée de Charny
Countess Andrée de Charny (ahn-DRAY deh shahr-NEE), the wife of Count Olivier de Charny. As a young girl, she was raped by a peasant who later becomes Dr. Gilbert; as a result, she bore a son, Sebastian. Fearful lest her early misfortune become known to her beloved husband, she maintains a distant marriage relationship that mystifies him. When her secret is finally revealed by Dr. Gilbert himself, husband and wife are happily united.
Dr. Gilbert
Dr. Gilbert (zheel-BEHR), Louis XVI’s physician and trusted friend. As a humble peasant, years before, he had attacked a young woman, later to become Countess Andrée de Charny. As Dr. Gilbert, he seeks to expiate his crime by deeds of charity.
Count Olivier de Charny
Count Olivier de Charny (oh-lee-VYAY), an aide to King Louis XVI and devoted to the cause of the monarchy. He is the husband of Countess Andrée de Charny.
Sebastian
Sebastian (seh-bas-TYAHN), the illegitimate son of the Countess Andrée de Charny and Dr. Gilbert.
Louis XVI
Louis XVI, king of France.
Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette (ahn-twah-NEHT), queen of France.
The Marquis de Favras
The Marquis de Favras (fah-VRAH), a trusted aide of Louis XVI.
Count Alessandro di Cagliostro
Count Alessandro di Cagliostro (ah-leh-SAN-droh dee kah-glee-OH-stroh), or Joseph Balsamo (zhoh-ZEHF bahl-sah-MOH), an Italian adventurer involved in the intrigues surrounding Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
Gamain
Gamain (gah-MAN), locksmith to Louis XVI.
Honoré Mirabeau
Honoré Mirabeau (oh-noh-RAY mee-rah-BOH), a French statesman with revolutionary sympathies with whom Dr. Gilbert advises Louis XVI to join forces.
The Marquis de Bouille
The Marquis de Bouille (boo-YEH), a French general involved in the abortive plan for the escape of Louis XVI.
M. de Malden
M. de Malden (mahl-DAHN) and
The Marquis de Choiseul
The Marquis de Choiseul (shwah-ZOHL), a trusted nobleman in the cause of Louis XVI.
Jean Drouet
Jean Drouet (zhahn droo-AY), a revolutionary patriot who informs the nationalist troops of the attempted escape of Louis XVI.
