Character guide

Modeste Mignon

major

Also known as Mademoiselle Mignon, Mademoiselle Modeste, Modeste, Mignon, Mademoiselle, little Mother Modeste

The heroine, a romantic young woman seeking love and independence.

Melchior de Canalis

major

Also known as de Canalis, Canalis, Monsieur de Canalis, Monsieur le Baron de Canalis, Constant-Cyr-Melchior, Melchior

A celebrated poet and baron, courted by Modeste through letters.

Ernest de la Brière

major

Also known as Ernest, la Brière, Brière, Monsieur Ernest de la Brière, Monsieur de la Brière, Poor la Brière

Canalis's secretary, a modest and loyal man who secretly loves Modeste.

Charles Mignon

major

Also known as Monsieur Mignon, Charles, Mignon, Monsieur Charles Mignon, Colonel Mignon, Citizen Mignon

Modeste's father, a former colonel and wealthy merchant returned from exile.

Madame Mignon

supporting

Also known as Madame, Mignon

Modeste's mother, a gentle and pious woman.

Dumay

supporting

Also known as Madame Dumay, Latournelle, Monsieur Dumay, old Dumay, the worthy Dumay, The unhappy Dumay, Little Dumay

The Mignons' loyal steward and former soldier, devoted to the family.

Jean Butscha

supporting

Also known as Butscha, Monsieur Butscha, hideous little Butscha, poor Butscha, Sire Butscha

A hunchbacked clerk and friend to Modeste, fiercely loyal and clever.

Madame Latournelle

supporting

Also known as Madame Dumay, Latournelle, Little Latournelle

Dumay's wife, a kind and practical woman who helps raise Modeste.

Comte de la Bastie

supporting

Also known as la Bastie, Monsieur le Comte, Monsieur le Comte de la Bastie

A nobleman who becomes a suitor for Modeste.

Duchesse de Chaulieu

supporting

Also known as Madame de Chaulieu, Duchesse d'Hérouville, Madame la Duchesse

A powerful and witty aristocrat who advises Canalis.

Gobenheim

minor

Also known as Gobenheim-Keller, Monsieur Gobenheim

A banker and business associate of Charles Mignon.

Bettina Wallenrod

minor

Also known as Bettina, Bettina Caroline, Bettina-Caroline

Modeste's friend and confidante, a lively young woman.

Duc d'Hérouville

minor

Also known as Monsieur le Duc d'Hérouville, Monsieur le Duc

A nobleman and relative of the Duchesse de Chaulieu.

Germain Bonnet

minor

Also known as Monsieur Germain Bonnet, Germain, Monsieur Germain

A local notary and friend of the Mignon family.

Vilquin

minor

Also known as Monsieur Vilquin, Vilquins

A wealthy shipowner and neighbor of the Mignons.

Philoxène Jacmin

minor

Also known as Mademoiselle Philoxène Jacmin, Philoxène

A young woman from a local family, acquaintance of Modeste.

Françoise Cochet

minor

Also known as Françoise

A servant in the Mignon household.

Caroline Mignon

minor

Also known as Betinna Caroline Mignon, Caroline

Modeste's younger sister, a sweet and simple girl.

Anne Dumay

minor

Also known as Anne, Dumay

Dumay's daughter and Modeste's childhood companion.

Babylas Latournelle

minor

Also known as Monsieur Simon-Babylas Latournelle, Monsieur Latournelle, little Latournelle

A local merchant and friend of the Mignon family.

Mongénod

minor

Also known as Mademoiselle Mongenod

A banker and business contact of Charles Mignon.

Exupère

minor

A servant or messenger in the story.

Hélène d'Hérouville

minor

Also known as Hélène

A relative of the Duc d'Hérouville, mentioned in passing.

Prince de Cadignan

minor

Also known as de Cadignan, the old Prince de Cadignan

An elderly nobleman, father of Diane de Maufrigneuse.

Diane de Maufrigneuse

minor

Also known as Diane, Duchesse de Maufrigneuse, Madame de Maufrigneuse

A beautiful and witty duchess, friend of the Duchesse de Chaulieu.

Duc de Verneuil

minor

Also known as the Duc de Verneuil, Duke de Verneuil

A nobleman mentioned in social circles.

Duc de Rhétoré

minor

Also known as the Duc de Rhétoré

A young nobleman, son of the Duchesse de Chaulieu.

Duc de Chaulieu

minor

Also known as The Duc d'Hérouville

Husband of the Duchesse de Chaulieu, a powerful aristocrat.

Prince de Loudon

minor

Also known as de Loudon

A nobleman mentioned in the story.

Francisque Althor

minor

Also known as Francisque, Althor

A young man who shows interest in Modeste.

John Barry

minor

Also known as John

An Englishman and associate of the Mignon family.

Jean Jacmin

minor

A local man, possibly a relative of Philoxène.

Georges d'Estourny

minor

Also known as Georges

A dandy and acquaintance of Modeste's circle.

De Marsay

minor

Also known as de Marsay

A politician and man of fashion, mentioned in passing.

Gaspard

minor

A minor servant or character in the household.

Madame de Sérizy

minor

A society woman mentioned in the narrative.

Madame Amaury

minor

A local woman, possibly a neighbor.

Duchesse de Verneuil

minor

Also known as de Verneuil

A noblewoman mentioned in social contexts.

Grandlieu

minor

A noble family name referenced in the story.