Charis is the bride of Gabriel. From the time before her wedding we know something of her life. Charis was born in India. She does not remember her mother who died when Charis was a child. From India Charis was sent back to England to live with an aunt and attend boarding school until she was eighteen and returned to India. Charis found the rules of the English society in India uncomfortable and she never really felt accepted. She did, however, meet Gabriel in India and considers herself fortunate.