# Jean de Cyon — Early Autumn character guide

> Jean de Cyon in Early Autumn by Louis Bromfield.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** de Cyon, young de Cyon, the distinguished old de Cyon

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Snapshot

A red-haired young French cavalryman, wounded and romantic, who arrives in Durham trailing Paris, uniforms, and the promise of a very different life.

## Who they are

Jean de Cyon first appeared to Sybil in Sabine's Paris salon on Armistice Day, black and silver uniform, slight limp, frank admiring eyes—and then vanished to the Argentine before she could see him again. Now he has come to Brook Cottage, restless and ill-tempered under the Pentland mourning, quarreling with Thérèse and rowing alone on the river. To the Pentlands he is a gipsy; to Sybil he is the vivid, unaccountable possibility of everything Durham is not.

## Relationships

### [Sabine Callendar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/characters/sabine_callendar)

_romantic_

A sophisticated, flirtatious relationship with Jean as Sabine's European admirer and possible lover.

### [Sybil Pentland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/characters/sybil_pentland)

_social_

A polite, superficial acquaintance through Sabine's social circle, with little emotional depth.

### [Sabine Callendar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/characters/sabine_callendar)

_romantic_

A sophisticated, flirtatious relationship with Jean as Sabine's European admirer and possible lover.

### [Sybil Pentland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/characters/sybil_pentland)

_social_

A polite, superficial acquaintance through Sabine's social circle, with little emotional depth.

### [Sybil Pentland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/characters/sybil_pentland)

_social_

A polite, superficial acquaintance through Sabine's social circle, with little emotional depth.

### [Sabine Callendar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/characters/sabine_callendar)

_romantic_

A sophisticated, flirtatious relationship with Jean as Sabine's European admirer and possible lover.

## In the story

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/iii)

Mentioned as having arrived at Brook Cottage, a figure of interest and potential change.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/iv)

Newcomer at Brook Cottage, described as tall, red-haired, and walking with a limp.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/v)

Describes his sense of coming home to America, his excitement about New York, and his decision to leave Europe permanently. He meets Sybil again by the river, feeling a strong physical and emotional connection.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/ii)

Reveals his illegitimacy and true name (John Shane) to Sybil, discovers his ancestral connection to the Milfords, and expresses his desire to protect her.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/iv)

Jean is Sybil's impatient, red-haired lover, whose marriage to Sybil is anticipated before winter.

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/iii)

Sybil crosses the meadow to meet him; old Mrs. Pentland reveals there is a mystery about his mother.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/iv)

His relationship with Sybil is discussed; Sabine defends his mother's past.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/v)

Watches the bridge game, kisses Olivia goodbye, and accompanies Sybil and Sabine.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/i)

Marries Sybil in Hartford.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/chapters/ii)

Jean is mentioned as the man Sybil has eloped with; Olivia defends him as a fine young man and wealthy.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/characters/jean_de_cyon
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/early_autumn_se/characters