Les Eaux tranquilles

A 27-year-old landowner from Saint Petersburg, practical and intent on a financially advantageous marriage, inspecting his rural estate at Sasovo.

Ippatov's sister-in-law, a reserved young woman devoted to the dissolute Pyotr Veretiev despite Astakhov's growing interest in her.

Veretiev's sister, bold and openly interested in Astakhov, whose courtship he fails to return.

A talented but alcoholic young man whom Marya Pavlovna loves, his wasted promise haunting the novella's close.

The neighboring landowner at Ippatovka whose household draws Astakhov into the story's romantic entanglements.