Character guide

Mlle. Cormon

major

Also known as Mlle, Cormon, Mlle. d'Esgrignon, Mlle. de Nouastre, Rose Marie Victoire Cormon, Rose Cormon, Rose, Poor Rose

A wealthy spinster in Alençon, courted by several suitors for her fortune.

Victurnien d'Esgrignon

major

Also known as Victurnien, the young Comte Victurnien d'Esgrignon, the Comte Victurnien d'Esgrignon, M. le Comte, The Comte d'Esgrignon, le Comte, M. le Comte Victurnien, Victurnien d'Esgrignon, le Comte d'Esgrignon, M. le Comte d'Esgrignon, M. Victurnien, young d'Esgrignon, d'Esgrignon, D'Esgrignon

A young nobleman who returns from Paris, bringing scandal and debt to his family.

Maître Chesnel

major

Also known as Chesnel, So Maître Chesnel, Maître Chesnel, Chesnel the notary, poor Chesnel, a Chesnel, M. Chesnel, Worthy M. Chesnel, the said Chesnel, old Chesnel, dear M. Chesnel, Old Chesnel, M. Choisnel, Choisnel

The loyal family notary who sacrifices his fortune to save the d'Esgrignons.

Chevalier de Valois

major

Also known as Chevalier de Valois, the Chevalier de Valois d'Alençon, The Chevalier de Valois, the Chevalier, M. de Valois, the gallant Chevalier, The Chevalier, the Chevalier de Valois, the ingenious Chevalier, The enchanting Chevalier, le Chevalier, Chevalier, M. le Chevalier de Valois, the sceptical M. de Valois, the Alençon Chevalier, Alençon

An aging, charming nobleman who schemes to marry Mlle. Cormon for her money.

Du Bousquier

major

Also known as du Bousquier, a du Bousquier, Bousquier, M. du Bousquier, the unsuspecting du Bousquier, Citizen du Bousquier

A former revolutionary turned banker, rival to the Chevalier for Mlle. Cormon's hand.

Mlle. Armande

supporting

Also known as Armande, Marie Armande Clair d'Esgrignon, Mlle, Mlle. d'Esgrignon, Poor Mlle, Armande de Gordes

Victurnien's devoted aunt who manages the family's dwindling estate.

Suzanne

supporting

Also known as Suzanne, The charming Suzanne, the magnificent Suzanne, this wily Suzanne, the chaste Suzanne, Susanna

A clever, beautiful woman from Alençon who becomes a Parisian actress.

Du Croisier

supporting

Also known as Du Croisier, du Croisier, Croisier, M. du Croisier, the Sieur du Croisier

A wealthy banker and political rival of the d'Esgrignon family.

Mme. Granson

supporting

Also known as Mme, Granson

A poor widow who hopes her son Athanase will marry Mlle. Cormon.

Athanase Granson

supporting

Also known as Athanase Granson, Athanase, Granson, Poor Athanase, poor Athanase, Young Granson

A sensitive young man in love with Mlle. Cormon, driven to despair.

Mme. Camusot

supporting

Also known as Mme, Camusot, Little Mme. Camusot

The wife of a local magistrate, involved in social intrigues.

M. de Troisville

supporting

Also known as M. de Troisville, the Vicomte de Troisville, the Vicomte, de Troisville, M. le Vicomte de Troisville, The Vicomte de Troisville, this Olympian Vicomte, this M. de Troisville, M. le Vicomte

A nobleman and relative of the d'Esgrignons, who aids Victurnien.

Josette

minor

Mlle. Cormon's loyal maid and confidante.

Abbé de Sponde

supporting

Also known as Abbé de Sponde, The Abbé de Sponde, the Abbé, The Abbé, the Abbé de Sponde, the good Abbé, de Sponde, the worthy Abbé de Sponde, Abbé, M. de Sponde

Mlle. Cormon's pious uncle and spiritual advisor.

Émile Blondet

supporting

Also known as Émile Blondet, Blondet, Émile, old Blondet, Joseph Blondet, Joseph

A Parisian journalist and writer, son of the local judge.

Diane de Maufrigneuse

supporting

Also known as Diane, Diane d'Uxelles, Diane de Maufrigneuse, The fair Maufrigneuse, the fair Diane, de Maufrigneuse

A beautiful, aristocratic Parisian woman who becomes Victurnien's lover.

De Marsay

minor

Also known as de Marsay, Marsay, Victurnien—de Marsay, De Marsay

A powerful Parisian politician and dandy who befriends Victurnien.

President du Ronceret

supporting

Also known as President du Ronceret, du Ronceret, The treacherous de Ronceret, de Ronceret, M. du Ronceret, M. le Président, M. le Président du Ronceret, M.

A local magistrate and enemy of the d'Esgrignon family.

Jacquelin

minor

The d'Esgrignon family's faithful servant.

Old M. Blondet

supporting

Also known as old M. Blondet, M. Blondet, Blondet, Blondet junior, Dear M. Blondet, old Blondet, Vice-President Blondet, Goodman Blondet

A local judge and father of Émile Blondet.

Duchesse de Maufrigneuse

minor

Also known as de Maufrigneuse, the Duchesse de Maufrigneuse, The Duchesse de Maufrigneuse, Maufrigneuse, Duchesse de Maufrigneuse, a Duchesse de Maufrigneuse, la Duchesse de Maufrigneuse, la Duchesse, Mme. de Maufrigneuse, Mme

Diane's mother, a prominent figure in Parisian high society.

M. Camusot

minor

Also known as M. Camusot, Camusot, Wake M. Camusot

A local magistrate involved in Victurnien's legal troubles.

M. Michu

minor

Also known as M. Michu, M., Michu

A minor official in Alençon.

Mme. du Croisier

minor

Also known as Mme. du Croisier, du Croisier, Mme

Du Croisier's wife, who harbors a secret grudge.

Mariette

minor

A young woman in service to the d'Esgrignon household.

Marquis de Pombreton

minor

Also known as M. le Marquis de Pombreton, the Marquis de Pombreton, M. le Marquis d'Esgrignon, M. le Marquis, Marquis, The Marquis

An elderly nobleman and relative of the d'Esgrignons.

Vidame de Pamiers

minor

Also known as the Vidame de Pamiers, The Vidame, the excellent Vidame, the Vidame, the dear Vidame, Vidame

An old friend of the Chevalier de Valois.

M. Sauvager

minor

Also known as M. Sauvager, Sauvager

A young lawyer involved in the legal case against Victurnien.

Fabien du Ronceret

minor

Also known as Fabien du Ronceret, M. de Ronceret, young M. Fabien du Ronceret, Fabien, young Fabien du Ronceret, du Ronceret, young du Ronceret

The son of President du Ronceret, a rival to Victurnien.

Cadot

minor

Also known as Cadot, Mlle, Mlle. Cadot

A local spinster and friend of Mlle. Cormon.

Mme. la Duchesse

minor

Also known as Mme. la Duchesse, Mme

A high-ranking noblewoman at court.

Comte de Montcornet

minor

Also known as the Comte de Montcornet, a Mlle. de Troisville, whom he had known before her marriage with the Comte de Montcornet, de Troisville, Mlle

A general and nobleman married to a Troisville.

Mlle. Blandureau

minor

Also known as Mlle. Blandureau, Blandureau, Mlle

A young woman courted by Fabien du Ronceret.

M. du Coudrai

minor

Also known as M. du Coudrai, du Coudrai

A local notable in Alençon.

Présidente du Ronceret

minor

Also known as the Présidente, la Présidente, Mme. du Ronceret, du Ronceret, Mme. la Présidente du Ronceret, Mme

The wife of President du Ronceret.

Joséphin

minor

Also known as Joséphin, old Joséphin

An old servant of the Chevalier de Valois.

Mme. Chesnel

minor

Also known as Mme. Chesnel, Mme, Chesnel

The wife of Maître Chesnel.

Brigitte

minor

A servant in the d'Esgrignon household.

Mme. Blondet

minor

Also known as Mme. Blondet, Mme, Blondet

The wife of old M. Blondet.

Princess Goritza

minor

Also known as The Princess Goritza, the Princess Goritza

A foreign princess who appears in Parisian society.

Maître Sorbier

minor

Also known as Sorbier, Maître Sorbier, old Maître Sorbier

A local notary in Alençon.

Cécile Amélie Thirion

minor

Also known as Cécile Amélie Thirion!—Poor old Blondet, Cécile Amélie, old Blondet, the old Blondet, Blondet, Thirion, Marie Cécile Amélie Thirion, Amélie

A woman from old Blondet's past.

Madame Sorbier

minor

Also known as Madame Sorbier, Sorbier

The wife of Maître Sorbier.

Maître Cardot

minor

Also known as Maître Cardot, Cardot

A Parisian notary involved in Victurnien's affairs.

Mlle. des Touches

minor

Also known as Mlle. des Touches, Mlle, des Touches

A wealthy, intellectual woman who hosts a Parisian salon.

Marquise de Castéran

minor

Also known as Marquise de Castéran, Marquise d'Esgrignon, The old Marquise de Castéran

An elderly relative of the d'Esgrignon family.

Césarine

minor

A young woman in Alençon.

Duchesse de Langeais

minor

Also known as Duchesse de Langeais, the Duchesse de Langeais

A Parisian socialite mentioned in passing.