| Character | Notes | Portrayed by |
| Daughter of retired army general, Hilario Peñalver y Beristáin, and doña, Augusta Curiel. Matilde is a distinguished young lady, an aristocrat educated under the strict moral norms of the epoch. Nevertheless, she breaks the social code of her class by falling in love with a penniless soldier, Adolfo Solís. However, due to intrigues and family pressures, she is deceived and forced to marry a rich landlord, Manuel Fuentes Guerra, in order to save the family from bankruptcy. | Adela Noriega |
| Illegitimate son of a rich landlord, Joaquín Fuentes Guerra, and a poor indigenous villager, Rosario Aranda. Manuel spent his first years of life in poverty and became seemingly tough, but fair and generous. Later, he managed to graduate from medical school and become a surgeon. As an adult, he inherited a vast fortune from his father. Despite his loathing for aristocrats, he falls in love with Matilde Peñalver, believing the feelings are mutual. | Fernando Colunga |
| Son of a once-respectable family who studied at the military school where he received military training and strict education. Adolfo is conservative, although not because of his conviction, but because of his obedience to military laws. He falls profoundly in love with Matilde Peñalver and refuses to break up their relationship, despite knowing her family would reject him, because of his poor economic status. Using her influences, Augusta Curiel, sends him to prison. | Mauricio Islas |