Dora
Dora is the narrator of the novel. She is an old lady in the present and she talks about her past, performing as a dancer with her twin sister and being an illegitimate child of Melchior Hazard.
Nora
Nora is Dora's twin sister. Even though the two are identical twins, they have completely different personalities and Nora is described as the one who is extroverted.
Grandmother Chance
Grandma Chance is Nora's and Dora's motherly. After their mother died at birth she is the one who raised the girls.
Peregrine Hazard
Peregrine Hazard is Nora's and Dora's uncle who was more of a father to them than their real father Melchior ever was.
Melchior Hazard
Melchior Hazard is Nora's and Dora's true father. He refused to admit to it and ignored them up until they were a famous dancing duo and only then he decided to get into contact.
Tristram
Tristram is Melchior's son and he calls the Chance twins his aunts instead of sisters. He follows in his father's footsteps and makes a girl pregnant and then not wanting to take responsibility.
Wheelchair
Wheelchair is Melchior's first wife. She got into an accident where she was left paralyzed and her husband no longer wanted her, so she ended up living with Nora and Dora. Wheelchair is the nickname the sisters gave to her, her real name is never mentioned.