Christiane Andermatt

Christiane Andermatt (kree-STYAHN ahn-dehr-MAHT) is a young married woman, grappling with the challenge of childlessness. While seeking a cure in the countryside, she encounters Paul Brétigny, a friend of her brother. Despite initial resistance to his advances, she eventually succumbs, resulting in a love affair and subsequently giving birth to a baby girl. Her initial joy turns to jealousy upon learning that Paul has shifted his affections to another woman during her pregnancy. Initially indifferent to her newborn, Christiane gradually becomes captivated by her daughter, leading her to dismiss her past relationship with Paul entirely.

Paul Brétigny

Paul Brétigny (pohl bray-teen-YEE) is the lover of Christiane Andermatt. He encounters her while trying to recover from a previous, unsuccessful love affair. During this time, he also develops sympathy for Charlotte Oriol, who has been spurned by Christiane’s brother, Gontran de Ravenel. Despite his affection for Christiane, his heart wanders, leading to complications in their relationship.

William Andermatt

William Andermatt is Christiane’s husband and a savvy financier. Ambitiously, he decides to purchase land from a local peasant to construct baths, aiming to capitalize on the spring water's alleged medicinal properties. His pursuit involves numerous strategic maneuvers to secure the land and promote the baths, showcasing his business acumen and determination.

Father Oriol

Father Oriol (ohr-YOHL) is a cunning peasant landowner who discovers a spring when he blasts a rock from the ground. His shrewd bargaining skills come to light as he negotiates with William Andermatt over the land, leveraging the newfound water source for his benefit. His strategic mind and understanding of the land's value are critical to the story's unfolding events.

Gontran de Ravenel

Gontran de Ravenel (goh[n]-TRAH[N] deh rahv-NEHL) is Christiane's witty brother who, motivated by financial pressure, schemes to marry one of Father Oriol’s daughters to acquire part of their dowry lands. Initially, he targets Charlotte Oriol for her beauty and youth, but switches his attention to Louise when he learns her dowry is more lucrative. His pragmatic, albeit opportunistic, approach to resolving his debts underscores his character.

Charlotte Oriol

Charlotte Oriol (shahr-LOHT) is the younger daughter of Father Oriol, initially courted by Gontran de Ravenel. However, when Gontran discovers that her sister Louise’s dowry is more substantial, he abandons Charlotte. This rejection leaves her vulnerable, but she finds solace in Paul Brétigny, with whom she becomes engaged, turning her misfortune into a new opportunity for love.

Louise Oriol

Louise Oriol, the elder daughter of Father Oriol, becomes the object of Gontran de Ravenel's affections after he realizes her dowry surpasses that of her sister, Charlotte. Gontran cunningly convinces Louise that his initial courtship of Charlotte was merely a ruse to win her over, showcasing his manipulative side and the competitive nature of relationships centered around financial gain.

Clovis

Clovis (kloh-VEES) is a beggar who portrays himself as suffering from rheumatism, while actually poaching at night. Hired to bathe daily in the spring, his supposed "cure" serves as a promotional ploy to validate the water's healing properties. Once the baths are established, Clovis returns, threatening to reveal that the water harmed him, thereby coercing a deal to receive annual treatment payments in exchange for his silence.