# Pétronelle — I Will Repay character guide

> Pétronelle in I Will Repay by Baroness Orczy.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** old Pétronelle

**First appearance:** 0003-i-paris-1783

## Snapshot

Juliette's elderly, sobbing nurse, whose grief over the young Vicomte's death leaves her mistress to bear the worst news alone.

## Who they are

Pétronelle has served the de Marny family long enough to weep like a mother when the heir is carried home dead, but not enough to steady herself and tell the crippled old Duc. Her collapse throws the unbearable duty onto Juliette, forcing a girl to become the family's grief-bearer in a single night. She is the human cost of the old regime's destruction, and the reason Juliette's vengeance feels less like politics than like blood.

## Relationships

### [Juliette de Marny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/i_will_repay_se/characters/juliette_de_marny)

_professional_

Pétronelle is Juliette's loyal maid and confidante, often serving as a messenger and emotional support.

### [Paul Déroulède](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/i_will_repay_se/characters/paul_deroulede)

_friendship_

Paul is kind and familiar with Pétronelle, who serves as a go-between for him and Juliette.

### [Juliette de Marny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/i_will_repay_se/characters/juliette_de_marny)

_professional_

Pétronelle is Juliette's loyal maid and confidante, often serving as a messenger and emotional support.

### [Paul Déroulède](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/i_will_repay_se/characters/paul_deroulede)

_friendship_

Paul is kind and familiar with Pétronelle, who serves as a go-between for him and Juliette.

### [Paul Déroulède](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/i_will_repay_se/characters/paul_deroulede)

_friendship_

Paul is kind and familiar with Pétronelle, who serves as a go-between for him and Juliette.

## In the story

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

The old nurse who grieves with Juliette and tries to comfort her after the Vicomte's death.

### [Citizen-Deputy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/i_will_repay_se/chapters/ii-citizen-deputy)

Juliette's old nurse and only confidante, who supported her through poverty after the Revolution seized her property.

### [III: Hospitality](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/i_will_repay_se/chapters/iii-hospitality)

Juliette's old nurse, brought to the house by Déroulède. Her happy tears and gratitude highlight the hospitality offered to Juliette.

### [The Faithful House-Dog](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/i_will_repay_se/chapters/iv-the-faithful-house-dog)

Retires with Juliette at the end of the chapter.

### [A Day in the Woods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/i_will_repay_se/chapters/v-a-day-in-the-woods)

Accompanies Juliette on her outing, silent and sympathetic.

### [X: Denunciation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/i_will_repay_se/chapters/x-denunciation)

Mentioned as the one who will help Juliette pack her things after the denunciation.

### [XI: “Vengeance Is Mine”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/i_will_repay_se/chapters/xi-vengeance-is-mine)

Juliette orders her to pack for England; she is reluctant to leave the comfortable house.

### [Tangled Meshes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/i_will_repay_se/chapters/xiii-tangled-meshes)

Awakens from sleep and is sent to the kitchen by Juliette to avoid questioning by soldiers.

### [XIV: A Happy Moment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/i_will_repay_se/chapters/xiv-a-happy-moment)

Also in the kitchen, she is easily frightened by Merlin but too stupid to give useful information.

### [XVII: Atonement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/i_will_repay_se/chapters/xvii-atonement)

Juliette asks Anne Mie to take care of her as she is led away.

### [The Close of Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/i_will_repay_se/chapters/xxii-the-close-of-day)

Refuses to leave Paris without Juliette; Déroulède installs her in Juliette's old home.

### [XXX: Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/i_will_repay_se/chapters/xxx-conclusion)

Brought out of Paris in a market cart by Sir Percy's arrangement, she waits anxiously at the inn and joins the escape.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/i_will_repay_se/characters/petronelle
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/i_will_repay_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/i_will_repay_se/characters