At the Villa Rose · Character

Hélène Vauquier

Mme. Dauvray's hard-featured, peasant-strong maid, whose bitter resentment of Celia simmers beneath a facade of respectable grief.

major

Also known as Vauquier, Mademoiselle Vauquier, H

First appearance: II: A Cry for Help

As a major figure in At the Villa Rose, Hélène Vauquier is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

For years Hélène Vauquier was more friend than servant to Mme. Dauvray, consulted on everything and taken everywhere, until a ragged dancer from Montmartre displaced her in a single week. Her testimony about the séance and her eagerness to leave the villa are laced with a hatred she barely conceals, and Hanaud catches her visiting Celia's room alone. Her jealousy and her access to the household make her the investigation's most dangerous witness.

See Hélène Vauquier in II: A Cry for Help Book page

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Character Web

14 connections

A slice of how Hélène Vauquier sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Psychological
Professional
Other

Character groups

Protagonist
Séance circle and suspects
Close associates and local officials

+9 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the psychological peak of Harry Wethermill's duplicity: h…

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Relationships

Celia Harland
psychological · negative
Hélène manipulates and controls the impressionable Celia, drawing her into a web of… How this plays out →
Mr. Ricardo
professional · negative
Mme. Dauvray
professional · negative
Harry Wethermill
psychological · negative
Adèle Rossignol
rivalry · negative
Henri Servettaz
professional · ambivalent
Mr. Ricardo
professional · negative
Mme. Dauvray
professional · negative
Celia Harland
psychological · negative
Hélène manipulates and controls the impressionable Celia, drawing her into a web of… How this plays out →
Celia Harland
psychological · negative
Hélène manipulates and controls the impressionable Celia, drawing her into a web of… How this plays out →
Harry Wethermill
psychological · negative
Adèle Rossignol
rivalry · negative

Celia Harland
Hélène manipulates and controls the impressionable Celia, drawing her into a web of deception and crime.
Mr. Ricardo
Ricardo observes and questions Hélène as part of the investigation, with growing suspicion.
Mme. Dauvray
Hélène serves as Mme. Dauvray's maid, but secretly plots to rob and murder her employer.
Harry Wethermill
Harry is romantically entangled with Hélène, who manipulates his affections to aid her criminal schemes.
Adèle Rossignol
Adèle and Hélène are former criminal partners who become rivals, each trying to escape blame for the murder.
Henri Servettaz
Hélène interacts with Henri, a local servant, as part of her cover while staying at the Villa des Fleurs.
Mr. Ricardo
Ricardo observes and questions Hélène as part of the investigation, with growing suspicion.
Mme. Dauvray
Hélène serves as Mme. Dauvray's maid, but secretly plots to rob and murder her employer.
Celia Harland
Hélène manipulates and controls the impressionable Celia, drawing her into a web of deception and crime.
Celia Harland
Hélène manipulates and controls the impressionable Celia, drawing her into a web of deception and crime.
Harry Wethermill
Harry is romantically entangled with Hélène, who manipulates his affections to aid her criminal schemes.
Adèle Rossignol
Adèle and Hélène are former criminal partners who become rivals, each trying to escape blame for the murder.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Hélène Vauquier in II: A Cry for Help

In the story

Hélène Vauquier appears across 15 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

II: A Cry for Help
Mme. Dauvray's maid, found chloroformed and tied up, expected to provide information when she recovers.
III: Perrichet's Story
Found by Perrichet snoring heavily in her attic room.
V: In the Salon
Brought to Celia's room to identify missing clothing, but her presence raises suspicion.
VI: Hélène Vauquier’s Evidence
Provides detailed testimony about the household, her jealousy of Célie, and the events of the night of the murder.
VII: A Startling Discovery
Is allowed to leave under discreet surveillance; her testimony about the jewels is noted.
The Captain of the Ship
Her description of the woman as having black hair is contradicted by Hanaud's discovery of a red hair.
XIII: In the House at Geneva
Not directly present in this chapter; no actions or mentions.
XIV: Mr. Ricardo Is Bewildered
Mentioned as the maid who remained defiant and silent during interrogations, refusing to confess.
XV: Celia's Story
Secretly despises Celia for displacing her in Mme. Dauvray's confidence. Greedy and avaricious, she manipulates Harry Wethermill, proposing a bargain to exploit Mme. Dauvray's fortune.
XVI: The First Move
Submissively agrees to be present at the séance and suggests Servettaz take his holiday on Tuesday, ensuring his absence.
XVII: The Afternoon of Tuesday
Dresses Celia with deliberate slowness and ironic pleasure, knowing it is the last time; she orchestrates the tests with Adèle.
The Séance
Holds Celia, gags her, and shows hidden rancor; complicit in the plot.
XIX: Hélène Explains
The cold and calculating maid who orchestrates the crime, threatens Celia with vitriol, and removes her earrings.
XX: The Geneva Road
Referenced as the leader whose wish prevails to keep Celia alive until she arrives in Geneva.
XXI: Hanaud Explains
Her slip in using the name Adèle and her role in the plot are analyzed.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Hélène Vauquier unlock in the free preview.

See Hélène Vauquier in II: A Cry for Help