Character guide

Ursule Mirouët

major

Also known as Ursule, little Ursule, Mademoiselle Ursule Mirouët, Mademoiselle Ursule, Mademoiselle Mirouët, Ursule Minoret

Orphaned niece of Doctor Minoret, raised in Nemours, central to the inheritance plot.

Savinien de Portenduère

major

Also known as Monsieur Savinien, Saint Savinien, Monsieur Savinien de Portenduère, Vicomte Savinien de Portenduère, Vicomte de Portenduère, Portenduère

Impoverished young vicomte who falls in love with Ursule and seeks to restore his family fortune.

Doctor Minoret

major

Also known as old Doctor Minoret, Minoret, old Minoret, Denis Minoret, Doctor Denis Minoret

Wealthy physician and Ursule's guardian, whose death triggers the inheritance conflict.

Goupil

major

Also known as Maître Jean-Sébastien-Marie Goupil, the blessed Maria

Cunning notary's clerk who schemes to control the Minoret inheritance.

Zélie Minoret

supporting

Also known as Zélie Levrault, Mesdames Zélie Minoret, the great Minoret, Zélie

Ambitious wife of Désiré Minoret, eager to inherit Doctor Minoret's wealth.

Désiré Minoret

supporting

Also known as Minoret, Désiré, Monsieur Désiré

Doctor Minoret's nephew and one of the primary heirs, married to Zélie.

Madame de Portenduère

supporting

Also known as young Portenduère, de Portenduère, Madame

Savinien's proud and debt-ridden mother who opposes his marriage to Ursule.

Monsieur Bongrand

supporting

Also known as old Bongrand, Bongrand, the elder Bongrand

Loyal friend of Doctor Minoret and protector of Ursule's interests.

Abbé Chaperon

supporting

Also known as the Abbé Chaperon, Chaperon, Abbé, Monsieur Chaperon

Kindly priest who serves as Ursule's spiritual advisor and confidant.

Madame Massin

supporting

Also known as Massin, Massin-Levrault, Madame Massin-Levrault

Greedy relative of Doctor Minoret, part of the circle of heirs.

Dionis

supporting

Also known as Monsieur Crémière-Dionis, Monsieur Dionis, Crémière-Dionis

Notary involved in the Minoret estate affairs.

Bougival

supporting

Also known as old Bougival, La Bougival

Faithful old servant of Doctor Minoret who cares for Ursule.

Joseph Mirouët

minor

Also known as Mirouët

Ursule's deceased father, a musician, mentioned in backstory.

Monsieur de Jordy

minor

Also known as Jordy, old Jordy, Monsieur Jordy, the late Monsieur de Jordy

Retired officer and friend of Doctor Minoret who tutors Ursule.

Madame Crémière

minor

Also known as Crémière, old Crémière

Widow and relative of the Minoret family, part of the heir circle.

Tiennette

minor

Servant in the Portenduère household.

Lecoeur

minor

Local merchant or minor character in Nemours.

Cabirolle

minor

Minor character associated with the post office.

Marquis du Rouvre

minor

Also known as le Rouvre

Nobleman whose daughter is courted by Savinien.

Mademoiselle du Rouvre

minor

Also known as Mademoiselle

Daughter of the Marquis du Rouvre, a potential match for Savinien.

Madame Dionis

minor

Also known as Dionis

Wife of the notary Dionis.

Pamela Massin

minor

Also known as Massin

Daughter of Madame Massin, a young woman in the heir circle.

Madame Goupil

minor

Also known as Goupil

Mother of the scheming Goupil.

Valentin Mirouët

minor

Ursule's grandfather, a musician, mentioned in family history.

François Minoret

minor

Also known as Minoret

Distant relative of Doctor Minoret, mentioned among the heirs.

Vice-Admiral Kergarouët

minor

Also known as Admiral de Kergarouët, de Kergarouët, Admiral Kergarouët

Naval officer and relative of the Portenduère family.

Emilie de Kergarouët

minor

Also known as Kergarouët

Daughter of the Admiral, a social figure in the story.

de Marsay

minor

Fashionable Parisian dandy who appears briefly.

Rastignac

minor

Balzac recurring character, mentioned in social context.

Madame de Sérizy

minor

Aristocratic woman connected to the Portenduère family.

Florine

minor

Actress and mistress of a wealthy man, mentioned in passing.

Schmucke

minor

Also known as old Schmucke

German musician friend of Joseph Mirouët.

Doctor Bouvard

minor

Also known as Bouvard, old Bouvard, Monsieur Bouvard

Local physician in Nemours, colleague of Doctor Minoret.