Lizzie Eustace

Lizzie Eustace is a captivating young widow who garners much attention in London's social circles. Before her short-lived marriage to Sir Florian Eustace, she was the impoverished daughter of Admiral Greystock, a retired naval officer described as being "in his later life much perplexed by the possession of a daughter." At nineteen, when her father passes away, Lizzie has already developed into a self-centered, amoral individual. She is disenchanted with the Victorian virtues meant to shape the lives of young women. Unlike her peers who seek virtuous, well-positioned husbands, Lizzie yearns for a romantic ideal—a Byronic hero, a dark and subtly dangerous "corsair" to whisk her away to a thrilling and ecstatic life. Her attempts to manipulate those around her are numerous but comically ineffectual, rather than malevolent, throughout the novel.

Frank Greystock

Frank Greystock is a young barrister and a newly elected Member of Parliament for the conservative party. He comes from a financially modest background; his father is the dean of Bobsborough. Facing the need to marry someone with the means to support his career, Frank finds himself in a dilemma. He is genuinely in love with Lucy Morris, a young, plain governess who embodies loyalty and virtue, yet lacks wealth. When Lizzie Eustace, troubled by the family lawyer's demands for the return of the Eustace Diamonds, seeks a defender, she turns to Frank. Chivalrously, he supports her cause, and their close interaction makes him briefly contemplate the advantages of marrying his affluent cousin. However, Lizzie's attempts to divert Frank's affections from Lucy ultimately fail. His deep-seated personal integrity and genuine love for Lucy prevent him from compromising his feelings and principles for career advancement.

Lucy Morris

Lucy Morris serves as the governess to the Fawn family and holds a long-standing friendship with Lizzie Greystock Eustace. In every meaningful way, Lucy is the antithesis of Lizzie. She is beloved in the Fawn household and is cherished by Lady Fawn as if she were one of her own daughters. Though she lacks Lizzie's striking beauty, Lucy's smile is said to enchant all the older and middle-aged men. She is dutiful, warmly sociable, cheerful, intelligent, and energetic, embodying the ideal young Victorian woman. Realizing she loves Frank Greystock, Lucy resigns herself to the belief that someone with Frank's promising future would never marry a governess. Nevertheless, she knows her heart belongs solely to him. Her role in the novel underscores the virtues of constancy and fidelity.