# Mademoiselle de Varandeuil — Germinie Lacerteux character guide > Mademoiselle de Varandeuil in Germinie Lacerteux by Edmond de Goncourt. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mademoiselle, Mademoiselle Germinie, Mademoiselle de Varandeuil Germinie **First appearance:** 0002-germinie-lacerteux ## Snapshot Germinie's aging mistress, hardened by a lifetime of unshed tears, whose blunt virile kindness cannot reach the tender needs of the servant she loves. ## Who they are Mademoiselle de Varandeuil employs Germinie and cares for her with a rough, unsentimental loyalty, but her abrupt manner and contempt for complaints force back everything Germinie would confide. Never complaining herself, she detests childish tears in grown persons, and her heart has grown as hard as her body. Yet her presence is the fixed point of Germinie's life, and the gap between the two women's emotional languages shapes everything that follows. ## Relationships ### [Germinie Lacerteux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/characters/germinie_lacerteux) _professional_ Germinie serves as a devoted maid to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil, who treats her with a mix of sternness and hidden affection. ### [Madame Jupillon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/characters/madame_jupillon) _social_ Madame Jupillon and Mademoiselle de Varandeuil are acquaintances from different social spheres, with underlying tension due to Germinie's involvement. ### [Maria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/characters/maria) _professional_ Mademoiselle de Varandeuil employs Maria as a servant, maintaining a formal employer-employee relationship. ### [Germinie Lacerteux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/characters/germinie_lacerteux) _professional_ Germinie serves as a devoted maid to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil, who treats her with a mix of sternness and hidden affection. ### [Madame Jupillon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/characters/madame_jupillon) _social_ Madame Jupillon and Mademoiselle de Varandeuil are acquaintances from different social spheres, with underlying tension due to Germinie's involvement. ### [Madame Jupillon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/characters/madame_jupillon) _social_ Madame Jupillon and Mademoiselle de Varandeuil are acquaintances from different social spheres, with underlying tension due to Germinie's involvement. ### [Germinie Lacerteux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/characters/germinie_lacerteux) _professional_ Germinie serves as a devoted maid to Mademoiselle de Varandeuil, who treats her with a mix of sternness and hidden affection. ## In the story ### [Second Preface](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/second-preface) The cousin in whose service Rose was employed, mentioned as part of the biographical context. ### [Germinie Lacerteux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/germinie-lacerteux) Germinie's mistress, who provides a stable but distant presence in her life. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/i) Mademoiselle is the elderly mistress, recently recovered from illness, who listens to Germinie's story with a stern yet kind demeanor, resembling the portrait of her father. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/ii) The central figure of the chapter; she is depicted in her old age, visiting the cemetery, caring for her father, supporting her brother's family, and living a solitary, reflective life. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/iii) Germinie's final employer in this chapter; she listens to Germinie's story and reflects on it, though the full account is cut short. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/iv) Mademoiselle is portrayed as emotionally hardened and unsympathetic to Germinie's inner struggles, contributing to Germinie's reliance on the church. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/v) Scrutinizes Germinie's appearance, warns her against marriage, and shows a mix of sternness and affection. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/vi) Notices Germinie's melancholy, advises her about the niece, and provides money for the journey; pretends not to see Germinie's care for the child. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/vii) Germinie's mistress, whose household supplies are increasingly sourced from Madame Jupillon's shop. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/x) Observes Germinie's changed behavior and comments on her planting grass. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xi) Notices Germinie's changed behavior but encourages her to go out and enjoy herself. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xiv) Mademoiselle is revealed to have taken a romantic interest in Jupillon, going to his shop under pretenses. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xvii) Her servant's scandal reflects upon her; Germinie's former respect was partly due to her association with Mademoiselle. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xix) Germinie fears being detected and dismissed by her mistress. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xx) Hosts her annual Twelfth Night dinner, notices Germinie's illness but is unaware of her true condition. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xxi) Believes Germinie is visiting a friend in the country and is pleased by her improved spirits. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xxii) Unwittingly sends Germinie away for the day to help a friend, unaware of Germinie's distress. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xxiii) Attempts to help Germinie during her crisis and calls for assistance. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xxv) Mademoiselle returns from collecting her income, finds Germinie asleep in a stupor, and expresses alarm. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xxvii) Sits by the fire in shabby black, reminiscing about her family's lost wealth and joking with Germinie about mending and servants. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xxviii) Mademoiselle patiently endures Germinie's ill-humor, choosing silence and pity over confrontation. She sees Germinie as her last friend and adopted daughter, and is powerless to comfort her. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xxix) Mentioned as Germinie's mistress, who might be sick and could leave money; Jupillon speculates about exploiting this. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xxxii) Remarks on Germinie's drunken-seeming joy, but is otherwise absent from the chapter's main action. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xxxiv) Away for six weeks in the country; returns to find Germinie weak but suspects nothing. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xxxv) Returns to find Germinie overcome with emotion; her affection triggers Germinie's guilt. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xxxvi) Mademoiselle has vague suspicions about Germinie's secret but rationalizes them away, preferring not to know the truth. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xxxviii) Mademoiselle is absent during the theft, but her trust in Germinie and the money she left in the box are central to Germinie's internal conflict. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xxxix) Observes Germinie's decline with concern and resignation, occasionally attempting to spur her to action but ultimately tolerating the neglect. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xl) Germinie stole twenty francs from her box. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xli) Returns from a christening dinner, discovers Germinie's sleep-talking, and listens with horror and fascination. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xlii) Mademoiselle notices the change in Germinie and is both amazed and worn out by her constant attentions, yet touched by her sad smile. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xliii) Unaware of Germinie's secret, she remains the only person whose esteem Germinie can still steal. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xliv) Mademoiselle is mentioned as the reason Germinie goes out to buy an evening paper, though she is not present in the scene. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xlvi) Germinie stays closeted with Mademoiselle, avoiding social contact and domestic habits. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/xlix) Mademoiselle de Varandeuil encourages Germinie's storytelling and gossip, inadvertently fostering her intellectual growth. ### [L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/l) Alarmed by Germinie's behavior at the window, she intervenes physically and later writes a letter to defend Germinie against slander. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/liii) Mademoiselle is the object of Germinie's profound loyalty and love, whom Germinie refuses to abandon despite Gautruche's proposal. ### [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/lviii) Notices Germinie's distress, forces her to see a doctor, and provides details about Germinie's age and family history. ### [LIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/lix) Tries to persuade Germinie to rest or hire an assistant, but is moved by Germinie's passionate pleas and relents. ### [LX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/lx) Decides to take Germinie to the country; worries about her health and is annoyed by her gossip. ### [LXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/lxi) Refuses to send Germinie to a hospital despite doctor's advice; considers Germinie like family; struggles with grief and poverty. ### [LXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/lxii) Desperately anxious about Germinie's health, she feels a strange fear and discomfort in the presence of the sick woman's mysterious and self-contained suffering. ### [LXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/lxiii) Visits Germinie in her attic room, calls the doctor, and arranges for her care. ### [LXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/lxiv) Assists Germinie in dressing and accompanies her to the hospital, then breaks down in tears after leaving. ### [LXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/lxv) Visits Germinie at the hospital, observes the creditors' visits. ### [LXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/lxvi) Receives news of Germinie's death, goes to the hospital, speaks with the Sister, and identifies the body. ### [LXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/lxvii) Prostrated by the ordeal, she takes to her bed and is haunted by the image of Germinie's corpse, especially her hair. ### [LXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/lxviii) Learns of Germinie's debts and secret life; expresses anger and betrayal. ### [LXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/lxix) Grapples with anger and grief after learning of Germinie's secret life, eventually moving toward forgiveness. ### [LXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/chapters/lxx) Searches the cemetery for Germinie's grave, kneels in the snow between two crosses, and confronts the degrading burial of the poor. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/characters/mademoiselle_de_varandeuil - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/germinie_lacerteux_se/characters