Frank Osbaldistone

Frank Osbaldistone, a young man who has been sent abroad to learn his father’s mercantile business and whose progress has not been satisfactory. He is sent to his uncle’s home to find his replacement among his uncle’s sons. He and his cousin Rashleigh, who takes the position, dislike each other immediately. On the way to his uncle’s house, Frank meets Rob Roy, an outlaw, without knowing who he is. He also falls in love with Diana Vernon, whom he meets on the way to his uncle’s home. After the Jacobite revolt, Frank inherits all of his uncle’s lands and marries Diana, in spite of the fact that she is a Catholic and he is a Presbyterian.

Rashleigh Osbaldistone

Rashleigh Osbaldistone, Frank’s cousin, who takes a position with Osbaldistone and Tresham and proceeds to embezzle funds from the firm. He betrays the Stuart cause and is disinherited.

William Osbaldistone

William Osbaldistone, Frank’s businessman father. He does not like the idea of Frank marrying a papist, but at last he consents.

Sir Hildebrand Osbaldistone

Sir Hildebrand Osbaldistone, Frank’s uncle and one of the plotters in the Jacobite uprising. He dies at Newgate after willing Frank all of his property.

Diana Vernon

Diana Vernon, Sir Hildebrand’s niece, with whom Frank falls in love. She is a Catholic and an outspoken girl.

Rob Roy

Rob Roy (MacGregor Campbell), a Scottish outlaw. He befriends Frank and helps him discover that Rashleigh is embezzling funds from Osbaldistone and Tresham. When Frank is arrested while on the way to meet him, Rob Roy’s wife Helen leads an attack on the arresting soldiers and frees Frank. Meanwhile, Rob Roy has been captured, but he escapes by throwing himself into a river. After the Jacobite revolt, Rob Roy kills Rashleigh when that turncoat comes to arrest Diana and her father.

Sir Frederick Vernon

Sir Frederick Vernon, Diana’s father and a Jacobite.