# The Old Maid explained — The Jealousies of a Country Town > Chapter companion for The Jealousies of a Country Town by Honoré de Balzac. ## What happens The chapter introduces the Chevalier de Valois, an elderly nobleman living in Alençon, and details his background, habits, and secret ambition to marry a wealthy old maid. It also describes the political and social dynamics of the town, including du Bousquier's rise to power and his unhappy marriage to Rose, who regrets not marrying the Chevalier. The chapter sets the stage for Suzanne's visit to the Chevalier, which will have significant consequences for the characters. ## Themes in this chapter ### Social Class and Nobility The Chevalier de Valois's noble lineage, his fine manners, and his secret ambition to marry a wealthy old maid highlight the importance of social class and the desire to maintain or elevate noble status in provincial society. ### Provincial Life and Gossip The chapter vividly depicts the gossip and social dynamics of Alençon, including the Chevalier's observations of laundry as indicators of flirtations, and the town's opinions on du Bousquier's marriage and the Chevalier's habits. ### Marriage and Alliance Marriage is a central theme, with du Bousquier's unhappy marriage to Rose, the Chevalier's ambition to marry a rich old maid, and the social consequences of these alliances. ## Character check-ins ### Chevalier de Valois The Chevalier is introduced as a tall, lean, elderly nobleman with fine manners, a habit of dining out and playing cards, and a secret ambition to marry a rich old maid. He is discreet, witty, and has a notable snuffbox with a portrait of Princess Goritza. ### Suzanne Suzanne is a charming laundry girl who visits the Chevalier early one morning, hinting at news that will bring both pleasure and annoyance. Her escapade is noted to influence the lives of the principal characters. ### Du Bousquier Du Bousquier is described as a strong public man and politician, but a despot at home. He is astute, hypocritical, and crafty, and his marriage to Rose is unhappy. He is king of Alençon and closed his salon to the Chevalier after his marriage. ### Mlle. Cormon Referred to as Rose and later Mme. du Bousquier, she is the unhappy wife of du Bousquier. She regrets her marriage, having loved the Chevalier de Valois, and suffers from her husband's despotism and the gossip of the town. ### Mlle. Armande Mlle. Armande is a generous-natured woman who tries to comfort Rose after the Abbé's death, walking with her and talking to her. ### Césarine Mentioned briefly when the Chevalier asks Suzanne if her news is about Césarine, indicating a previous connection or gossip. ### Princess Goritza A lovely Hungarian lady whom the Chevalier loved in his youth; her portrait is on his snuffbox, and he fought a duel for her. ## Key lines > Plenty of people must have come across at least one Chevalier de Valois in the provinces; there was one in Normandy, another was extant at Bourges, a third flourished at Alençon in the year 1816, and the South very likely possessed one of its own. Many people have encountered a Chevalier de Valois in the provinces, with examples in Normandy, Bourges, Alençon in 1816, and possibly the South. _Introduces the Chevalier de Valois as a type of provincial nobleman, setting the stage for the character._ > The Chevalier de Valois, moreover, had one virtue; he refrained from repeating his own good sayings, and never alluded to his conquests, albeit his smiles and airs were delightfully indiscreet. The Chevalier had the virtue of not repeating his own witticisms or mentioning his romantic conquests, though his smiles and mannerisms were charmingly revealing. _Highlights the Chevalier's discretion and charm, key traits for his social role._ > Du Bousquier the husband is a very different person from du Bousquier the public man and politician. The great citizen, so liberal in his opinions, so easy humored, so full of love for his country, is a despot at home, and has not a particle of love for his wife. Du Bousquier as a husband is unlike his public persona; the liberal, good-humored patriot is a domestic tyrant who does not love his wife. _Reveals the contrast between du Bousquier's public and private selves, central to his character and his wife's misery._ > The Chevalier de Valois was the malignant artificer of her misfortune. He had it on his mind to snatch his opportunity and undeceive Mme. du Bousquier as to one of her articles of faith; for the Chevalier, a man of experience, saw through du Bousquier the married man, as he had seen through du Bousquier the bachelor. The Chevalier de Valois was the malicious cause of her unhappiness, intending to reveal the truth about du Bousquier, whom he understood as both a bachelor and a husband. _Establishes the Chevalier's role in the marital conflict and his insight into du Bousquier's character._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jealousies_of_a_country_town_se/chapters/the-old-maid - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jealousies_of_a_country_town_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jealousies_of_a_country_town_se/chapters