Molly Gibson- simple, yet pretty girl of knowledge and wisdom. Smart, but sheltered. She looks for the good in others and they are drawn to her, because of it. She is suppressed by a step-mother, but maintains her goodness. Puts her will aside so that others are taken care of.
Cynthia - opposite of Molly. Worldly and loves attention. Steals the men from Molly because of her beauty and demeanor.
Mrs. Kirkpatrick - a very gentle woman. Ideal personality and demeanor for a woman. Rich and has power because of her title. Missing something in her life; incomplete. She exemplifies the characteristic that women, though they appear to have everything, are still incomplete and searching for something else.
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This novel takes a different approach to femininity, in that women are set against each other, instead of against male characters. Their major source of conflict is within feminine circles. The only way the women can act are through the social manners and gatherings of the time. Each woman's personal strivings for perfection cause them to best each other. When love is the focus, no restraints are place and no area is off-limits. The women must trust in the domestic skills and feminine attributes they were taught.
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