The Romance of Lust: A classic Victorian erotic novel

The young Count de la Rochefoucault

Also known as the Count · de L. R.

A twenty-one-year-old Count and attaché to the French Embassy in Rome who had an affair with Mrs. Cavendish and exchanged explicit letters with her. The letters include his fantasies about their intimate life and a translation of a letter he wrote almost entirely in cipher.

Charles

Also known as Charlie · Charley · Charlie Roberts

The first-person narrator, also called Charlie, is Mr. Brownlow’s nephew and Harry Dale’s companion. He is married to Florence and recounts the Count’s history and Florence’s early life; he later says he fathered a daughter with the Count’s daughter and married that daughter after Florence’s death.

Count Fortunio

Also known as the Count · Ferdinand · Fernandino

An Italian tutor and close friend of Charles and Florence. In his account, he describes an incestuous relationship with his mother, their daughter, and later his own daughter, whom he leaves in Charles and Florence’s care; he also recounts his early sexual experiences and later life as an exile.

Miss Frankland

Also known as Miss F. · Florence

Charles’s former governess, whom he marries after she is widowed. She recounts an abusive sexual history with her father and cousin Henry; after her death, Charles marries their adopted daughter.

Harry Dale

Also known as Master Dale · Dale · the judge

Mrs. Dale’s son, Ellen’s cousin, and Charles’s close companion. In old age he becomes a judge and presides over the divorce case involving Mrs. Cavendish and the young Count de la Rochefoucault.

The Count’s mother

Also known as Ferdinand’s mother · his mother · the Count’s sister-mother

An unnamed woman who had an incestuous relationship with her son Ferdinand while he was in hiding. She gave birth to their daughter, raised the girl after Ferdinand’s exile, and died when the girl was eleven.

The Count’s daughter and sister

Also known as the Count’s sister · the Count’s daughter · his sister-child · his sister-daughter

The daughter of Count Fortunio and his mother, making her both the Count’s daughter and sister. After her mother’s death she kept house for her father, later joined him in an incestuous relationship, and bore his child; she also lived with Charles and Florence and bore Charles a daughter.

The Count’s father

Also known as his father

The unnamed father of Count Fortunio, who was married to the Count’s mother. He died after the mother and left his property to the Count’s second brother.

The Count’s two younger brothers

Also known as the Count’s second brother

Two unnamed younger brothers of Count Fortunio. After their parents died, the second brother inherited the family property while the Count was in exile; the Count later sued him to recover it.

The accoucheuse in Turin

An unnamed midwife in Turin with whom the Count’s pregnant daughter and sister stayed to give birth.

Carl

Also known as our friend Carl

A well-educated young German, son of a wealthy Frankfurt hotel proprietor, who became Florence’s lover and joined Charles and Florence’s circle. The narrator recalls that Carl eventually married and inherited his father’s hotel.

Sister Bridget

Also known as the nun · the fair nun

A former nun who opened a school for young children after her convent was dissolved. She initiated the young Count Fortunio into sex, later resumed an affair with him, and was forced into poverty after Fortunio’s mother exposed their first encounter.

The young Count who protected Sister Bridget

An unnamed young Count who took Sister Bridget under his protection after she lost her school and arranged a secure pension for her.

The young usher

An unnamed usher at the school Fortunio’s college friend first attended. He taught that friend to have anal sex.

The Count’s college friend

Also known as the youngster

An unnamed boy, the son of a family friend and six months older than Fortunio, who became Fortunio’s sexual companion at college.

The young woman trained as an opera dancer

Also known as the former lover · the first-rate danseuse

An unnamed girl whom Fortunio first had sex with while she was being trained for the stage. Years later she became a highly paid dancer in London and renewed their relationship; she also recounted an unusually promiscuous voyage aboard an Italian brig.

The captain of the Italian brig

Also known as the captain

An unnamed captain and part owner of the Italian brig on which the dancer travelled to Lisbon. He initiated a sexual relationship with her during the voyage.

The mate of the Italian brig

Also known as the mate

An unnamed mate and part owner of the Italian brig who had sex with the dancer during the voyage.

The carpenter of the Italian brig

Also known as the carpenter

An unnamed carpenter and part owner of the Italian brig on which the dancer travelled.

The boatswain

An unnamed member of the brig’s crew, whose profit-sharing arrangement made him and the other crew members financially invested in the voyage.

The four sailors

Also known as the picked men · the crew

Four unnamed sailors aboard the Italian brig who shared in the profits of its voyage; the dancer says she had sex with all of them.

The cabin boy

Also known as the little twelve-year-old cabin boy

An unnamed twelve-year-old boy aboard the Italian brig, mentioned as one of the people with whom the dancer had sex.

Florence’s father

Also known as her father · the high clergyman

An unnamed erudite Church of England clergyman who married Florence’s Greek mother after trying and failing to seduce her. He sexually abused Florence from childhood, later included her footman and cousin Henry in their sexual encounters, and left her little money when he died.

Florence’s mother

Also known as her mother

An unnamed Greek woman who married Florence’s father and died when Florence was nearly eight. Florence says she was beautiful and that she witnessed her parents having sex.

Florence’s footman

Also known as the young and handsome footman

An unnamed household servant who became Florence’s lover and was eventually drawn into sexual encounters with Florence and her father.

Henry

Also known as Florence’s cousin · her first cousin

Florence’s orphaned first cousin, placed under her father’s guardianship and raised in their household. He became Florence’s lover and first love; they lived together secretly for two years after her father’s death.

Henry’s mother

Also known as his mother

Florence’s paternal aunt, who died shortly before Henry came to live with Florence’s family. She had raised him and was the surviving parent named in the account.

Florence’s father’s younger brother

Also known as the younger brother of her father

An unnamed man who was Florence’s father’s younger brother and Henry’s father. He is mentioned as Henry’s deceased parent.

The confessor

Also known as the youngest father confessor · the priest

An unnamed priest who visited Sister Bridget’s convent to hear the nuns’ confessions and had a sexual relationship with her.

Florence’s friend at the convent

An unnamed nun who shared Sister Bridget’s sexual desires and taught her tribadism before confessing her own affair with the priest.

The women servants and peasant girls

Unnamed women in the Count’s family household and neighbourhood who became his lovers after his first encounter with Sister Bridget.

The Count’s son

The unnamed son of the Count and his daughter, who was raised by Charles and Florence’s adopted daughter. Legally adopted by Charles, he inherits the title of Count after the Count’s death.

Florentia

Also known as Entee

The daughter Charles fathered with the Count’s daughter and sister, whom Florence adopted and named after herself. After Florence died, Charles married Florentia; she became the mother of his son Charley Nixon.

Charley Nixon

Charles and Florentia’s son, named in memory of Florence and Charles’s guardian Mr. Nixon. At eighteen, he is described as handsome and as the heir to substantial wealth through Charles.

Charles’s sisters

Also known as his sisters

Mary and Eliza, Charles’s sisters, who are mentioned as having died by the time he tells this account.

Mrs. Cavendish

Also known as the wife in the Cavendish divorce case · the lady

An unnamed married woman who had an affair with the young Count de la Rochefoucault and was divorced by her husband. Her letters to the Count were produced as evidence in court.

Mr. Cavendish

Also known as the husband in the Cavendish divorce case

The unnamed husband who divorced Mrs. Cavendish for adultery with the young Count de la Rochefoucault. He found and produced their letters in court.

The judge in the Cavendish case

An unnamed judge who declines to read Mrs. Cavendish’s scandalous letters aloud in court and says he will use them in his address to the jury.

The sworn notary

An unnamed notary who translated the letters submitted as evidence in the Cavendish divorce case.

Mrs. Cavendish’s children

Several unnamed children of Mrs. Cavendish, mentioned as evidence that she was a mother of forty-five when she had her affair.

Pal. B.

An unidentified person or address used by the young Count de la Rochefoucault for correspondence with Mrs. Cavendish.

Albert

A person addressed in correspondence mentioned by the young Count de la Rochefoucault; the passage does not identify him further.

M. de Fiennes

An unnamed man who interrupts the young Count de la Rochefoucault while he is writing to Mrs. Cavendish.

Madame de Delmar

An unnamed woman whom the young Count de la Rochefoucault asks Mrs. Cavendish to tell that he is sorry to hear she is ill.

Madame Salvi

Also known as Salvi

An unnamed woman in Rome whom the young Count de la Rochefoucault says he may visit or live with; Mrs. Cavendish suspects him of an involvement with her.

The Duke

An unnamed Duke who has suggested that the young Count de la Rochefoucault occasionally visit his wife.

The Duke’s wife

Also known as the Duchess

An unnamed Duchess whose husband has asked the young Count de la Rochefoucault to visit her.

The Borgh

Also known as the Borgh

An unnamed family with children who are said to bother the young Count de la Rochefoucault in Rome.

The Duchess de Grano

An unnamed Duchess in Rome whom the young Count de la Rochefoucault plans to visit and with whom he says he could live.

The Duchess of St. Alban

Also known as the Duchess of St. Alban’s

An unnamed Duchess who plans to leave for Schwalbach and England because of fears of war.

Madame Rudiger

An unnamed woman whose letter the young Count de la Rochefoucault says he has not yet answered and who requires care in his dealings.

George

An unidentified person whose place is mentioned in the young Count de la Rochefoucault’s letter.

Galitzin

A Russian acquaintance of the young Count de la Rochefoucault, described as kind-hearted and dependable. He has recently lost his mother.

Galitzin’s mother

Also known as his mother

An unnamed woman, mentioned as having died; she was the mother of the young Count’s acquaintance Galitzin.

The young Count’s father

Also known as my father

An unnamed man, mentioned in the young Count de la Rochefoucault’s letters as unwell and as accompanying the young Count’s mother on a drive.

The young Count’s mother

Also known as my mother

An unnamed woman, mentioned in the young Count de la Rochefoucault’s letters as the wife of his father.

The young girl in the Count’s letter

Also known as the little girl

An unnamed girl to whom the young Count de la Rochefoucault says he wrote a letter.

The pretty Lorette

An unnamed young woman whom the young Count de la Rochefoucault imagines involving in a sexual encounter with Mrs. Cavendish.

The doctor who treats Mrs. Cavendish

Also known as the doctor

An unnamed physician whom the young Count de la Rochefoucault tells Mrs. Cavendish may cauterize her.

Mr. Brownlow

Also known as the Rev. Mr. Brownlow · the doctor · uncle · John · Dr. Brownlow

Charles’s maternal uncle, a clergyman and schoolmaster. He joins the gatherings with Charles’s family and friends, including Charles’s sisters.

Mrs. Brownlow

Also known as Charles’s aunt · aunt · auntie · Aunt Brownlow

Charles’s maternal aunt and Mr. Brownlow’s wife. She joins the gatherings with Charles and their circle and is especially attracted to Charles’s former governess, Miss Frankland.

Mrs. Dale

Also known as Dale’s widowed mother · Dale’s mother · Mrs. D.

Harry Dale’s mother and Ellen’s aunt and guardian. She joins the gatherings with Charles, Harry, and their circle.

Ellen

Also known as Dale’s cousin · Miss

Harry’s cousin, who lives under her mother’s guardianship. She joins the gatherings; her decorous conduct at a country luncheon helps her gain entry to local society and eventually leads to an excellent marriage.

Mrs. Benson

Also known as Mrs. B. · E. Benson · Lizzie

Mr. Benson’s wife and Charles’s former lover and instructor. She joins the gatherings and attends Charles and Florence’s wedding.

Mr. Benson

Also known as Mr. B. · Fred

Mrs. Benson’s husband, who is unaware of her affair with Charles. He attends Charles and Florence’s wedding.

James MacCallum

Also known as Mr. MacCallum · Mr. M. · MacCallum More

Charles’s close Scottish friend and companion in the gatherings. He visits Charles’s country home, where he joins Charles and Charles’s sisters; later he is called away for six months by illness in his family.

Mrs. Egerton

Also known as the Hon. Mrs. Egerton · Carry

Mrs. Benson’s intimate friend and Mr. Egerton’s wife. She joins Charles and their circle in gatherings and attends Charles and Florence’s wedding.

Mary

Charles’s elder sister, who joins his private gatherings. During a visit to Charles’s country home, she is pregnant and says that this makes sex more pleasurable.

Eliza

Also known as Lizzie

Charles and Mary’s younger sister, who joins the gatherings. She says her husband leaves her unsatisfied and that she has turned to her footman for brief encounters.

Eliza’s manservant

An unnamed footman and one of Eliza’s lovers, described as a powerful young man. She says their hurried encounters do not satisfy her.

The De Grandvits

Also known as Monsieur and Madame De Grandvit · the Grandvits · De Grandvit

A married French couple Charles and Florence meet in Paris through a bawd’s peephole rooms. They become close friends and regular participants in sexual gatherings; their individual first names are not given.

The old bawd at No. 60

Also known as the old bawd · the bawd

An unnamed, bold, masculine woman who runs a Paris house where clients watch sexual exhibitions through peepholes. She arranges encounters for Charles and Florence and assists in the performances.

The two young men at No. 60

Also known as the two garçons de cafés · the two sodomites

Two unnamed, tall and handsome young café waiters hired to perform sexual acts for clients at the bawd’s house. Charles watches their exhibition.

The exhibition couple in Paris

An unnamed man and woman who perform in one of the rooms at Madame Leriche’s Paris establishment, where Charles and Florence watch through peepholes.

The married couple in the adjoining room

An unnamed married man and woman in a peephole room next to Charles and Florence. They overhear one another and agree to exchange partners, beginning a lasting friendship with the couple.

The old woman at the Percy Street house

An unnamed woman paid to look after and arrange the furnished house used by the Count, Mrs. Benson, and Mrs. Egerton for their private meetings.

The elderly gentleman in the other peeping room

An unnamed older man who watches the exhibition at No. 60 with two page boys and is aroused enough to take part in sexual acts with them and a woman.

The two page boys

Two unnamed boys at the bawd’s house who perform sexual acts with an elderly gentleman while he watches an exhibition.

Carl’s father

An unnamed wealthy Frankfurt hotel proprietor who sends Carl to train at Meurice’s Hotel and later consents to Carl travelling with Charles and Florence. He eventually retires to the country and leaves Carl his hotel.

Carl’s wife

An unnamed woman Carl marries years later. Her jealousy leads Charles and Florence to stop staying at Carl’s hotel.

Carl’s son

One of Carl’s three children, mentioned as growing up after Carl’s marriage.

Carl’s two daughters

Carl’s two unnamed daughters, mentioned as growing up after Carl’s marriage.

The Count’s family in Scotland

An unnamed family visited by Count Fortunio; their son and heir is said to be the Count’s biological child.

The son and heir of the Scottish family

An unnamed young man described as the biological son of Count Fortunio and heir to a family in Scotland.

Madame Leriche

Also known as Madame Leriche’s girls’ employer

An unnamed Parisian bawd who runs rooms with peepholes where clients watch staged sexual encounters.

Madame Leriche’s girls

Unnamed women employed at Madame Leriche’s establishment to stage encounters with men brought in from the street for peephole viewers.

The country doctor

Also known as the doctor · the preacher

An unnamed country clergyman who delivers a sermon on virtue and chastity and invites local residents to luncheon at the Rectory. Charles notes his formal evening dress expectations at dinner.

The two distant residents

Two unnamed residents invited by the country doctor to luncheon at the Rectory after church; they attend with their wives.

The two country families

Two unnamed local families who hear the doctor’s sermon and meet Florence and Ellen at the Rectory luncheon. Their social approval helps Ellen’s prospects.

The young German hotel waiter

Also known as the waiter

An unnamed young German waiter at Meurice’s Hotel who is singled out by Florence before the couple learn he is Carl.

The waiter in the sitting room

Also known as a waiter

An unnamed hotel waiter whom Charles calls to bring breakfast to the couple’s sitting room in Paris.

Mr. Nixon

A wealthy London merchant and Charles’s guardian, who married Miss Frankland. He dies after an apoplectic fit, leaving his property to his wife and legacies to Charles and his sisters.

Ann

The elder niece of Mrs. Nichols, who arrives at the lodging house about a month after Charles moves in. She becomes Charles’s lover and joins encounters with Jane, Mrs. Nichols, and MacCallum.

Jane

The younger niece of Mrs. Nichols and a lodger attendant in Norfolk Street. She becomes Charles’s lover and later joins encounters with her sister Ann and their aunt.

Mrs. Nichols

A tall, powerful widow who owns Charles’s Norfolk Street lodging house and is aunt to Jane and Ann. She joins Charles and her nieces in sexual encounters that continue for years.

The late husband of Mary

An unnamed man Mary marries after Charles’s guardians die. He fathers her son, inherits an estate, and dies of cholera in the second year of their marriage.

Mary’s son

Also known as Mary’s child

Mary’s son, born during the tenth month of her marriage. After his father dies, he grows up in Mary’s care.

Eliza’s husband

An unnamed man Eliza marries. His restrained approach to sex leaves her unsatisfied, and she seeks other lovers.

Mr. Egerton

Mrs. Egerton’s husband, an excellent Italian scholar who does not know about her affair with the Count. He is mentioned as one of Charles’s friends.

The Italian Countess

Also known as Marietta

An unnamed countess whom Charles describes as one of his lovers. Her bigoted husband limits intimacy to brief intercourse, and she seeks sexual satisfaction with Charles and other men.

The Italian Countess’s husband

An unnamed tall, capable man and extreme religious bigot who treats sex with his wife as a brief duty and forbids ordinary intimacy.

The clerical lovers

Two or three unnamed clergymen who are Mrs. Egerton’s lovers in Rome and introduce other men to Mrs. Benson. They join the group’s gatherings.

The two additional Roman clerics

Two unnamed clergymen introduced to Mrs. Benson by Mrs. Egerton’s clerical lovers. They are accustomed to group encounters.

The young Roman priest

An unnamed, handsome young priest, debauched by the other clergymen and later brought into Charles’s circle.

The doctor who treats Mr. Nixon

An unnamed physician who recommends that Mr. Nixon spend the winter in a warmer climate.

The conveyancer

An unnamed professional whose office Charles works in for three months while preparing for the bar.

Miss Vincent

Also known as Mrs. Vincent

Charles’s former lover, previously known as Miss Evelyn and later Mrs. Vincent. Charles recalls his affair with her among the experiences he recounts to Mrs. Benson and Miss Frankland.

Charles’s mother

Also known as mamma · Mother · Mrs. Roberts

Charles’s widowed mother, who sends him to be educated by Mr. Brownlow. She has a sexual relationship with Charles, becomes pregnant by him, and gives birth to a daughter; she later visits Paris with Ellen.

The daughter of Charles’s mother

Also known as mamma’s daughter

The daughter born to Charles’s mother and fathered by Charles. She is mentioned as growing up exceptionally developed and resembling Charles.

The daughter of Ellen

Also known as Ellen’s child · Ellen’s daughter

The daughter born to Ellen and fathered by Charles, although Harry is believed to be her father. She is born in Paris and later cared for by a wet nurse.

The late Captain of Grenadiers

An unnamed man whom Mrs. Brownlow once had an affair with, mentioned as a former lover whose sexual endowment made Mr. Brownlow jealous.

Aunt and Ellen’s late husband

Also known as her late husband

The unnamed deceased husband of Mrs. Brownlow, mentioned by Ellen as one of the men who had intimate relations with her aunt.

The Italian tutor’s references

Unnamed gentlemen of standing whom Mr. Egerton consults about Count Fortunio’s character. They are mentioned but do not appear directly.

Mr. Roberts

Mrs. Roberts’s husband, mentioned as the person who has left on business for a month. He is not described further.

The elder niece of Mrs. Nichols

Mrs. Nichols’s unnamed elder niece, who is away in the country until she can give birth after what the household calls a “misfortune.” She is expected to return in about six weeks.

The previous lodger

An unnamed man who lodged with Mrs. Nichols the previous summer and hurt Jane while attempting to force intimacy; he had to pay Mrs. Nichols £50.

The plain cook and general servant

An unnamed servant at Mrs. Nichols’s lodging house who cooks and helps with general work downstairs.

The continental accoucheuse

An unnamed midwife in the environs of Paris who provides rooms where Mrs. Dale and Charles’s mother can stay until they give birth.

The wet nurse

Also known as their foster mother

An unnamed woman entrusted with the care of Charles’s mother’s and Ellen’s infant daughters for a year.

The German valet

An unnamed valet employed by a woman whose story Charles recounts. He is said to have had sex with her and helped dismiss her visitors.

The late husband of Charles’s mother

Also known as her late husband

The deceased husband of Charles’s mother and father of Harry. He is mentioned as having taught her sexual practices and as having taken precautions against further children.

The churchwarden

An unnamed churchwarden who occupies Mr. Brownlow for about an hour after luncheon, before Brownlow takes Charles for a walk.

The schoolboys

Also known as the day scholars

A group of about twenty or thirty unnamed local boys who attend Mr. Brownlow’s school as day scholars. Mr. Brownlow selects some for birching, and Charles is often made to help hold them.

Mr. Vincent

The gentleman farmer married to Mrs. Vincent. Unaware that Charles fathered his newborn son, he asks Charles’s mother to be the child’s godmother and invites Charles to be godfather.

Charles’s late uncle

His father’s estranged brother, who leaves Charles’s mother an annual allowance and the bulk of his property to Charles, with instructions that Charles be educated for the bar. He is mentioned but does not appear directly.

Mr. Brownlow’s former pupils

A group of one to three unnamed young gentlemen whom Mr. Brownlow sometimes takes in to prepare for university. They are mentioned as prospective pupils, not individually identified characters.

Mrs. Evelyn

Miss Evelyn’s widowed mother, who visits the household for her daughter’s wedding and consents to the marriage with Mr. Vincent.

Susan

A household servant who, at Charles’s mother’s direction, makes birch rods for Miss Evelyn when needed.

The inn servant

An unnamed servant at the inn where James MacCallum lodges; he brings MacCallum breakfast and makes his bed.

The inn landlord

The unnamed landlord of the inn where James MacCallum lodges. MacCallum takes meals in the inn parlour with the landlord and family.

The innkeeper’s family

The unnamed family of the inn landlord, mentioned as dining with him while James MacCallum lodges nearby.

The young man courting Miss Vincent

An unnamed young man courting Mr. Vincent’s sister. He is to serve as the bridegroom’s attendant at Mr. Vincent and Miss Evelyn’s wedding.

Mr. Vincent’s sister

Also known as Miss Vincent

An unnamed young woman who is Mr. Vincent’s sister and one of the bridesmaids at his wedding. A young man is courting her.

The maid

An unnamed hotel maid who shows Mrs. Benson to her room on her wedding night; she is mentioned in Mrs. Benson’s letter but does not appear directly.

Mrs. Benson’s mother

Also known as mamma

Mentioned in Mrs. Benson’s letter as the recipient of a letter from Fred after the couple arrive at Leamington. She does not appear directly.

Miss Peace

A former schoolmistress who was caught with Count Fortunio, leading to his dismissal. She is mentioned in Mrs. Egerton’s letter but does not appear directly.

Rolandi

A person at Berner’s Street whom Mr. Egerton consults for recommendations for an Italian tutor. He recommends Count Fortunio.

Mr. Robinson

A host whose country home, the Grange, Charles’s family visits. He sends the children to play in the garden with his daughters.

Sophia

The eldest of Mr. and Mrs. Robinson’s three daughters, about nineteen. At the Grange, she operates a swing with her sisters.

Agnes

One of Mr. and Mrs. Robinson’s three daughters. She plays on a swing with her sisters at the Grange.

The middle Robinson daughter

The unnamed middle daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, about two years younger than Sophia. She plays on the swing with Sophia and Agnes.

Mrs. Robinson

The wife of Mr. Robinson and mother of Sophia, Agnes, and their unnamed middle sister. She appears with her husband when Charles’s family visits the Grange.

The gentleman visitor

An unnamed, tall and powerfully built man who visits Charles’s family with his new wife on their wedding tour. He is described as an old friend of Charles’s mother.

The lady visitor

An unnamed woman who visits Charles’s family with her new husband on their wedding tour. Her name is not given in this passage.