Lois is a young Anglo-Irish woman living at the Danielstown estate with her aunt and uncle. Stuck in a transitional period between girlhood and womanhood, she feels disconnected from her own identity and desires. She spends her days attending social calls and painting, longing to feel something genuine during the political tensions of the Irish War of Independence.

Sir Richard is the owner of Danielstown and Lois's uncle. He prefers to ignore the surrounding political violence, maintaining the traditions of his aristocratic life. Though he expresses occasional sympathy for his lower-class Irish neighbors, he stubbornly believes that reports of danger are exaggerated by outsiders.

Lady Naylor is Sir Richard's wife and the aunt of Laurence. She acts as a stern guardian over Lois and actively enforces the social hierarchies of her class. She dismisses the anxieties of her English friends and uses passive-aggressive maneuvers to steer the younger generation away from inappropriate marriages.

Laurence is Lady Naylor's nephew and an Oxford student staying at Danielstown out of financial necessity. He possesses an intellectual but cynical demeanor and avoids physical exertion. He views the comfortable routines of the estate with contempt and adopts a detached attitude toward the surrounding violence.

Hugo is an old friend of Sir Richard who visits the estate with his wife. He once held an unrequited love for Lois's mother, Laura, and continues to romanticize his past. He is restless and prone to transferring his romantic obsessions onto new acquaintances.

Francie is Hugo's wife and an old friend of Lady Naylor. Though treated as a physical invalid by the rest of the household, she possesses a sharp emotional awareness. She is quick to notice the romantic dynamics among the younger residents and openly expresses concern for the physical safety of the estate.

Gerald is an English subaltern stationed in Ireland to enforce British rule. Dutiful and straightforward, he earnestly believes in the mission of the British Empire. He pursues Lois openly, offering her a sense of safety that clashes with her family's social expectations.

Marda is a self-assured Anglo-Irish family friend who arrives from England for a visit. She is engaged to an Englishman and determined to avoid complications during her stay. Her directness and independence fascinate Lois and prompt her to consider her own future.

Livvy is a local girl and a practical, proactive friend to Lois. She frequently drives a trap around the countryside and actively seeks out the company of the stationed soldiers, viewing marriage as a necessary goal to achieve on her own terms.

Mr. Daventry is an English soldier who suffers from shell shock due to the taxing nature of his military raids in Ireland. Unlike the polite and cheerful Gerald, he is openly cynical and physically unsettled by his duties.

Mr. Armstrong is a British soldier stationed in the area. He spends time socializing with the local girls and becomes romantically entangled with Livvy.

Mrs. Vermont is the wife of an English officer. She displays a patronizing attitude toward the Irish locals and views her presence as a civilizing favor, contrasting with the quiet resentment of the Anglo-Irish characters.

Mrs. Fogarty is a local woman living in the town of Clonmore. She regularly opens her home to the young British soldiers, providing a comfortable parlor where they can sing, play piano, and socialize with local girls.

Laura is Lois's deceased mother and Sir Richard's sister. Though she is gone, her memory lingers over the older generation, particularly influencing Hugo's perception of Lois.

Viola is Lois's school friend. She lives away from Danielstown and receives letters from Lois, acting as a sounding board for Lois's anxieties about men and social performance.

Leslie is Marda Norton's English fiancé. He stays in England during her visit and holds a deeply suspicious view of Ireland, which Marda wishes to avoid confirming.

Mrs. Carey is a neighbor to the Naylors. She takes walks with Lady Naylor and discusses the lack of adventure in the younger generation.

Mrs. Trent is a neighbor from Castle Trent. She visits Danielstown for tea and discusses the limited marriage prospects for local girls in the region.