Doña María, the Marquesa de Montemayor: The daughter of a rich merchant, Doña María is starved of love first by her parents and then by her husband. By marriage she becomes one of the great, noble ladies of Lima. Her estranged daughter, Doña Clara, marries a Spaniard and moves to Spain. Doña María visits her daughter only once, but maintains a correspondence with her which later becomes famous in Spanish literature. [The character is based on the distinguished French letter-writer Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, Madame de Sevigne (1626-1696).]
Pepita: A girl raised at the Convent of Santa María Rosa de la Rosas, whom Doña María takes as a companion and surrogate daughter.
Esteban [and Manuel]: Twins left at the Convent of Santa María Rosa de la Rosas as infants: They are virtually inseparable and no one can tell them apart. Manuel falls hopelessly in love with the actress Camila Perichole but gives up his passion for her. He cuts his knee on a piece of metal; it becomes infected, and he dies. Esteban falls into a deep depression.
Uncle Pio: An independent but cultured man who makes a living in many different ways. He buys Micaela Villegas when she is twelve and educates her to become the greatest actress in Peru, Camila Perichole.
Don Jamie: The son of Camila Perichole and Don Andres. He is a sickly child who is going to live with Uncle Pio at the time of their deaths.
Brother Juniper: A Franciscan monk who is on his way to cross the bridge when it collapses. He spends six years compiling a book which gives every detail of the lives of the five victims of the tragedy.
The Abbess Convent of Santa María Rosa de la Rosas: Takes a particular interest in Pepita and the twin brothers, Esteban and Manuel, all of whom are orphans raised in the convent.
Camila Perichole (aka Micaela Villegas): Under Uncle Pio’s strict guidance she develops into the most honored actress in Lima. She becomes the mistress of the Viceroy by whom she has three illegitimate children and retires from the stage to live the life of a respectable lady. [This character is based on a later historical figure María Micaela Villegas Hurtado (1748-1819).]
Doña Clara: Daughter of Doña María, who marries The Conde Vincente d’Abuirre, a nobleman with great influence at the Spanish court.
Captain Alvarado: An adventurer who hires Esteban to sail with him just days before the bridge tragedy.
The Catholic Archbishop of Lima: An obese man who enjoys the company of the nobles of the city. He performs the service at the cathedral for the five accident victims.
Don Abdres, The Viceroy: Takes the beautiful actress Camila Perichole as his mistress. He is based on the historical figure Manuel de Amat y Juniet.
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