Character guide

Félix de Vandenesse

major

Also known as Monsieur le Comte, Félix, the Vandenesse, de Vandenesse, good Félix, Monsieur le Comte Félix de Vandenesse, Dear Félix, Poor Félix

The narrator and protagonist, a young nobleman who falls deeply in love with Henriette de Mortsauf.

Henriette de Mortsauf

major

Also known as Henriette, Henriette de Lenoncourt, the unfortunate Henriette, dearest Henriette, dear Henriette, Poor Henriette, Madame de Mortsauf, the Comtesse de Mortsauf

The virtuous and suffering wife of the Comte de Mortsauf, and the object of Félix's devotion.

Comte de Mortsauf

major

Also known as Monsieur de Mortsauf, de Mortsauf, Mortsauf, the Count de Mortsauf, the Count, Count, The Comte de Mortsauf

Henriette's harsh and mentally unstable husband, a royalist émigré with a violent temper.

Lady Dudley

supporting

Also known as Lady Arabella, Arabella

A passionate and manipulative English noblewoman who becomes Félix's mistress.

Madeleine de Mortsauf

supporting

Also known as Madeleine, Poor Madeleine, Mademoiselle Madeleine, Dear Madeleine

The daughter of the Mortsaufs, who grows up under her mother's strict guidance.

Jacques de Mortsauf

supporting

Also known as Jacques

The sickly son of the Mortsaufs, whose health causes great anxiety to his mother.

Natalie de Manerville

supporting

Also known as Madame la Comtesse Natalie de Manerville, Natalie, Madame la Comtesse, Madame, Natalie de Manerville, Dearest Natalie

The recipient of Félix's confessional letter, a countess to whom he tells his story.

Monsieur de Chessel

minor

Also known as the Chessel, Chessel

A local nobleman and neighbor of the Mortsaufs who hosts Félix.

Madame de Chessel

minor

Also known as Madame do Chessel

Wife of Monsieur de Chessel, a kind hostess to Félix.

Charles de Vandenesse

minor

Also known as Charles

Félix's older brother, a diplomat and man of the world.

Abbé de Dominis

minor

Also known as the Abbé de Dominis, The austere Abbé, Abbé, Dominis, the Abbé, The Abbé, Monsieur de Dominis, de Dominis

A priest and tutor to Jacques, a stern but learned man.

Abbé Birotteau

minor

Also known as the Abbé Birotteau, the Abbé, The Abbé Birotteau, Abbé, The Abbé

A local priest who visits the Mortsauf household.

Monsieur Origet

minor

Also known as Origet

A doctor who attends to the Mortsauf family.

Duc de Lenoncourt

minor

Also known as the future Duc de Lenoncourt - Mortsauf, de Lenoncourt - Mortsauf, the Duc de Lenoncourt, The Duc de Lenoncourt, The Duc de Lenoncourt - Givry, Givry

Henriette's father, a nobleman of the old court.

Madame de Lenoncourt

minor

Henriette's mother, a duchess of high society.

Manette

minor

A servant in the Mortsauf household, devoted to Henriette.

Charbonneau

minor

A gardener at Clochegourde who assists Félix.

Monsieur Deslandes

minor

A notary involved in the Mortsauf family affairs.

Monsieur Lepître

minor

A doctor who treats Henriette in her final illness.

Abbé de la Berge

minor

Also known as Monsieur de la Berge

A priest who gives spiritual counsel to Henriette.