The Disciple

Characters

• Drzhevetzky — a student and young cardsharp: Intelligent and observant, he ruthlessly exploits other people’s weaknesses.
• Balunsky — an old cardsharp: An experienced sharper of the old school, at once fascinated and unsettled by his young rival.
• the captain’s mate — a young sailor: A vain, impressionable officer whom Drzhevetzky draws into the scheme.
• Kostretzova — the justice of the peace’s wife: An impatient, passionate passenger whose wishes govern her husband.
• Kostretzov — a justice of the peace and Simbirsk landowner: The steamer's standing joke: a boastful, stupid, stridently patriotic newlywed.
• the colonel of the artillery — a permanent passenger and whist partner: A good-natured sloven and glutton whose unsuspected run of luck Drzhevetzky plays against.
• the three steamer sharpers — a party of gamblers who boarded at Samara: They pose as unacquainted commission agents and start the game, but lose to the student.
• Procophii — a steamer waiter: The one who can bring Drzhevetzky's own pack of cards to the table.