Jean Muir
Jean Muir is the central character in the novella, and arguably its protagonist and antagonist at the same time. At the beginning of the story, she integrates the Coventry household under the assumed identity of a 19 year-old governess with the sole design of securing social position through marriage with one of the Coventry men. Jean is portrayed as a smart and manipulative woman. She uses her talents as a former actress to conceal her true identity, appearance, and age in order to carry out her schemes. While she is the main antagonist whose intentions and acts break the peace of her employer’s home, she is also depicted as a woman who admires noble and chivalrous acts, values kindness and compassion, and is even able of showing genuine gratitude. To a great extent, Jean herself is the victim of a class-conscious society which left her no other way than deception to attain a respectable life.
Bella Coventry
Bella is the youngest of the Coventry children. She is a sixteen-year old girl whose education and training have being neglected due to her mother’s indisposition, and on whose account Jean Muir is offered the position of a governess. Bella is portrayed as an innocent and good-natured girl. Almost immediately after their meeting, her kindness and lack of experience make her an easy prey to the stratagems of her new governess.
Gerald Coventry
Gerald is the eldest son and therefore the heir of the Coventry family. The opening chapter sketches his character as that of an indolent and idle young man who fits perfectly the concept of the 19th century dandy. In spite of this, Gerald is smart and careful. He suspects his sister’s new governess, and nurtures doubts that make his falling a victim to her traps a lengthy and laborious process. Eventually, the artful governess subdues him and causes his engagement with Miss Beaufort to be broken off.
Edward Coventry
Edward is the young son in the Coventry family. At the beginning of the story, he seems cognizant of the fact that this position comes in the way of his social and economical independence. Edward is depicted as innocent and gentle. He is the first brother to be charmed with the governess. Accordingly, he makes her an offer but gets rejected on the basis that he can secure her no social position. Getting a commission with the aid of his brother, he joins the military ranks. He finds out eventually the true identity of Jean Muir and orders her to leave the house at the end of three days before revealing her history to the whole family.
Sir John Coventry
Sir John is the uncle of the Coventry children. He is a wealthy and handsome old gentleman of five and fifty who lives on a neighboring property. Because of his fortune and title, he is the main target of Jean Muir. His honesty and kindness make him an easy prey, and he marries her at the end regardless of all proof and arguments against her character.
Lucia Beaufort
Lucia is Gerald’s cousin; the two were initially intended. She is beautiful, smart, proud and haughty. Like Gerald, she suspects the new governess ever since the beginning. She tries to hinder the latter’s plan when it comes to Gerald, but her pride comes in the way when this gentleman makes his new passion for the governess known to her.
Mrs. Coventry
She is depicted as an invalid widow who depends a great deal on her daughter and niece when it comes to the fulfillment of daily tasks, and the management of the household. Mrs. Coventry is easily deluded by the attentions and flattery of the new governess; thus, she is the easiest member of the family, besides Bella, to be won to her side.
F. R. Sydney
Young Sydney is Jean Muir’s first victim. He falls in love and almost marries her, but changes his mind when she accidentally tells him she is a former actress. His character and reputation are impaired in the eyes of the Coventry family by her version of the story which depicts him as a violent tyrant who has threatened her honor should she refuse to marry him.
Mrs. Sydney
She is Jean Muir’s former employer. Like Mrs. Coventry, she is easily deceived in the character of the governess. She even doubts her son and believes the tale of Jean for whom she feels sorry and under the obligation of securing a new position by recommending her to her friend Mrs. Coventry.
Hester Dean
She is the middle-aged servant of Miss Beaufort. She is motherly and affectionate towards her mistress, and therefore suspicious and almost hostile to Jean Muir whom she dislikes on account of Gerald’s partiality to her.
Hortense
She is Jean Muir’s friend and confidante. The two exchange letters informing one another of what happens in the life and prospects of each. They also share a promise to benefit one another of any good fortune befalling either. Hortense, however, breaks this pact by betraying her friend and selling their letters to Edward Coventry.
