Carmilla: who's who, timeline and places
Everyone in Carmilla, what happens when, and where, without spoilers: tell us how far you have read and we show only what you already know.
- Doctor HesseliusA doctor attaches a scholarly note to the narrative and connects its subject to his essay.First seen in chapter 1
- LauraThe narrator lives in an isolated castle and recalls a frightening childhood encounter with a mysterious woman.First seen in chapter 2
- Madame PerrodonShe is one of the narrator's two governesses in the secluded household.First seen in chapter 2
- Mademoiselle De LafontaineShe is one of the two governesses introduced among the narrator's household.First seen in chapter 2
- CarmillaA young stranger receives shelter after a carriage accident while her mother continues her journey.First seen in chapter 3
- General SpielsdorfA family visitor postpones his visit and blames a dangerous guest for Bertha Rheinfeldt's suffering.First seen in chapter 3
- Bertha RheinfeldtHer death prompts a disturbing letter from General Spielsdorf blaming a dangerous guest.First seen in chapter 3
- Mircalla, Countess KarnsteinA woman in a restored family portrait bears an exact resemblance to Carmilla.First seen in chapter 6
- Doctor SpielsbergA doctor examines Laura's symptoms and insists that she must never be left alone.First seen in chapter 10
- The woodmanA woodman at Karnstein describes how villagers and a visiting nobleman destroy vampires.First seen in chapter 14
- Baron VordenburgThe Baron uses papers and measurements to help locate Mircalla's hidden monument.First seen in chapter 16
- Chapter 1
An editor introduces a woman's narrative and Doctor Hesselius's scholarly interest in its mysterious subject.
- Chapter 2
The narrator recalls a mysterious woman comforting her in childhood before she feels two sharp punctures.
- Chapter 3
General Spielsdorf's letter blames a dangerous guest for Bertha Rheinfeldt's suffering.
- Chapter 3
A carriage overturns, and the narrator's father shelters a young woman while her mother continues her journey.
- Chapter 4
The narrator recognizes the stranger's face from her childhood encounter, and the guest describes a matching dream.
- Chapter 5
Carmilla conceals her background, shows overpowering affection, and suffers a painful fit after hearing a funeral hymn.
- Chapter 6
A restored portrait of Mircalla, Countess Karnstein, bears an exact resemblance to Carmilla.
- Chapter 7
The narrator dreams of a huge black animal, feels piercing pain, and sees a woman leave her locked bedroom.
- Chapter 8
The narrator grows weaker, and a dream warning leads to the discovery that Carmilla's locked room is empty.
- Chapter 9
Laura finds Carmilla back in her room, and her father suggests sleepwalking explains the disappearance.
- Chapter 10
Doctor Spielsberg examines Laura and orders constant company; her father takes her toward Karnstein.
- Chapter 11
General Spielsdorf declares that supernatural enemies killed his niece and announces his intention to open tombs at Karnstein.
- Chapter 12
The General recounts meeting Millarca and her secretive mother at Count Carlsfeld's celebration.
- Chapter 13
The General agrees to shelter Millarca while her mother leaves on urgent, secret business.
- Chapter 14
Laura recognizes her own symptoms in the General's account as the party reaches the Karnstein ruins.
- Chapter 15
The General recounts his ward's death, then attacks Carmilla and identifies her as Millarca and Mircalla.
- Chapter 16
An inquiry identifies the buried countess as Carmilla, and the authorities destroy her body.
- Chapter 17
Vordenburg explains his ancestor's concealment of Mircalla's grave, while Laura recalls continuing fear despite a journey to Italy.
Hidden until you have read that far.
- StyriaStyria is the region where the narrator lives in a secluded home.First seen in chapter 2
- The castleThe narrator's isolated home has distant neighbors and nearby ruins associated with the Karnstein family.First seen in chapter 2
- KarnsteinNearby ruins are associated with the extinct Karnstein family.First seen in chapter 2
- The schlossThe schloss is the home near which a carriage overturns.First seen in chapter 3
- The drawbridgeAt the drawbridge, the governesses discuss the moon's powers during an evening walk.First seen in chapter 3

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