The Persons

• Elfride Swancourt, a young lady

• Christopher Swancourt, a clergyman

• Stephen Smith, an architect

• Henry Knight, a reviewer and essayist

• Charlotte Troyton, a rich widow

• Gertrude Jethway, a poor widow

• Spenser Hugo Luxellian, a peer

• Lady Luxellian, his wife

• Mary and Kate, two little girls

• William Worm, a dazed factotum

• John Smith, a master-mason

• Jane Smith, his wife

• Martin Cannister, a sexton

• Unity, a maidservant

• Other servants, masons, labourers, grooms, nondescripts, etc., etc.

The Scene: Mostly on the outskirts of Lower Wessex.