Charlotte Temple · Character

Montraville

A British officer whose passion for Charlotte curdles into guilt and neglect once a worthier woman, Julia Franklin, crosses his path in America.

major

Also known as Dear Montraville, the wretched Montraville

First appearance: Charlotte Temple

As a major figure in Charlotte Temple, Montraville is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The seducer who first sees Charlotte and begins his pursuit, leading to her eventual ruin.

In the storyCharlotte TempleOpen this moment free

Montraville is a soldier of feeling rather than principle, capable of genuine remorse yet too weak to let it govern his conduct. He seduces Charlotte believing himself in love, then discovers his heart is more fickle than he imagined when Julia appears. His divided affections and evasions drive the middle of the novel, where Charlotte's security depends entirely on a man already drifting away.

See Montraville in Charlotte Temple Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Character Web

14 connections

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

Relationship types

Romantic
Friendship
Psychological
Other

Character groups

Main characters and antagonists
Protagonist
Supporting and minor characters

+9 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because Montraville reaches an emotional and psychological peak of internal confli…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Charlotte Temple
romantic · negative
A tragic romantic entanglement where Montraville seduces and abandons the naive… How this plays out →
Julia Franklin
romantic · ambivalent
Belcour
friendship · negative
Mademoiselle La Rue
psychological · negative
Henry Temple
rivalry · negative
Charlotte Temple
romantic · negative
A tragic romantic entanglement where Montraville seduces and abandons the naive… How this plays out →
Charlotte Temple
romantic · negative
A tragic romantic entanglement where Montraville seduces and abandons the naive… How this plays out →
Julia Franklin
romantic · ambivalent
Belcour
friendship · negative
Belcour
friendship · negative
Mademoiselle La Rue
psychological · negative
Julia Franklin
romantic · ambivalent

Charlotte Temple
A tragic romantic entanglement where Montraville seduces and abandons the naive Charlotte, leading to her ruin.
Julia Franklin
A more socially acceptable romantic interest for Montraville, representing the respectable match he ultimately chooses over Charlotte.
Belcour
A toxic friendship built on shared debauchery, with Belcour encouraging Montraville's worst impulses toward Charlotte.
Mademoiselle La Rue
La Rue acts as an intermediary and enabler, helping Montraville access Charlotte while pursuing her own selfish interests.
Henry Temple
Henry Temple views Montraville as the villain who destroyed his daughter's life, creating deep animosity.
Charlotte Temple
A tragic romantic entanglement where Montraville seduces and abandons the naive Charlotte, leading to her ruin.
Charlotte Temple
A tragic romantic entanglement where Montraville seduces and abandons the naive Charlotte, leading to her ruin.
Julia Franklin
A more socially acceptable romantic interest for Montraville, representing the respectable match he ultimately chooses over Charlotte.
Belcour
A toxic friendship built on shared debauchery, with Belcour encouraging Montraville's worst impulses toward Charlotte.
Belcour
A toxic friendship built on shared debauchery, with Belcour encouraging Montraville's worst impulses toward Charlotte.
Mademoiselle La Rue
La Rue acts as an intermediary and enabler, helping Montraville access Charlotte while pursuing her own selfish interests.
Julia Franklin
A more socially acceptable romantic interest for Montraville, representing the respectable match he ultimately chooses over Charlotte.

Relationship notes

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

See Montraville in Charlotte Temple

In the story

Montraville appears across 24 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Charlotte Temple
The seducer who first sees Charlotte and begins his pursuit, leading to her eventual ruin.
I: A Boarding School
A lieutenant in the army, he becomes infatuated with Charlotte after seeing her at church and schemes to meet her again.
An Intriguing Teacher
Accosts Charlotte in the field, gives her a letter full of flattery and vows, and is described as a handsome young soldier whose military attire makes him dangerously attractive.
VII: Natural Sense of Propriety Inherent in the Female Bosom
Montraville is the subject of Charlotte's conflicted feelings; his letter, delivered by La Rue, awakens new emotions in Charlotte and leads to the planned meeting.
IX: We Know Not What a Day May Bring Forth
Ardent and respectful, he persuades Charlotte to meet him again, despite knowing he cannot marry her.
X: When We Have Excited Curiosity, It Is but an Act of Good Nature to Gratify It
Reflects on his father's advice and instructs Belcour to inquire about Charlotte's fortune.
XI: Conflict of Love and Duty
Manipulates Charlotte's emotions, threatening to leave her forever to secure her consent to elope.
XII: “How Thou Art Fall’n!”
Waits at the assignation, uses emotional pleas and threats of suicide to overcome Charlotte's objections, and physically lifts her into the chaise.
XV: Embarkation
Supports Charlotte's spirits during the journey but tears up her letter to prevent it from reaching Mr. Temple.
XVI: Necessary Digression
Shows kindness and attention to Charlotte during the voyage, though he does not intend to marry her.
A Wedding
Montraville dismisses Charlotte's concerns about La Rue's marriage, calling her naive, and leaves her when she becomes upset.
XVIII: Reflections
Visits Charlotte infrequently, often breaking promises, leaving her to mourn his absence.
XIX: A Mistake Discovered
Returns the jewel box to Julia Franklin and becomes infatuated with her, realizing he may not truly love Charlotte.
XX: Virtue—When Most Amiable
Leaves a note for Charlotte claiming 'unalterable friendship' and departs on 'unavoidable business,' signaling his growing coldness.
XXII: Sorrows of the Heart
Described by Charlotte as her seducer who broke his promises of marriage and now scorns her.
XXIII: A Man May Smile, and Smile, and Be a Villain
Struggles with his conscience over Charlotte while pursuing Julia Franklin; deceived by Belcour, he confronts Charlotte and leaves her.
Mystery Developed
Discovers Charlotte with Belcour, rejects her, then confesses his love for Julia Franklin and his guilt over seducing Charlotte.
XXVI: What Might Be Expected
Wracked with guilt over seducing Charlotte, he marries Julia Franklin and writes a farewell letter to Charlotte, providing for her but vowing never to see her again.
XXVII: “Like a Fair Lily”
Montraville is absent but central to the chapter; he has married Julia Franklin and sailed for Eustatia, having abandoned Charlotte without farewell or support.
XXVIII: A Trifling Retrospect
Mentioned as having married and enjoying the pleasures of the city, abandoning Charlotte.
XXIX: We Go Forward Again
Mentioned as having abandoned Charlotte; the farmer's wife refers to him as 'Captain Montable' and says he is gone.
XXX: “Friendship a Name”
Mentioned as having married Julia Franklin, confirming his abandonment of Charlotte.
Retribution
Returns to New York, seeks Charlotte, learns of her suffering, attends her funeral, kills Belcour in a duel, falls ill, and is left with lifelong melancholy.
Endnotes
Given the same Christian name as Montrésor; his later life as Colonel Franklin is described.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Montraville in Charlotte Temple