# Marie Gaston — Letters of Two Brides character guide

> Marie Gaston in Letters of Two Brides by Honoré de Balzac.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Gaston, Louis Gaston, Mme. Gaston, Mme. Marie Gaston

**First appearance:** 0052-xlix-marie-gaston-to-daniel-d-arthez

## Snapshot

A proud, impoverished poet whose delicate sense of honor makes him both a worthy suitor and a man forever at war with his own gratitude.

## Who they are

Marie Gaston is a young writer of real talent and painful sensitivity, moving in the circle of Daniel d'Arthez and carrying debts he cannot repay. He loves Louise and marries her, but his happiness is shadowed by the shame of being protected by a woman of rank and fortune. His scruples and his art make him the second great test of Louise's capacity for love.

## Relationships

### [Louise de Chaulieu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/letters_of_two_brides_se/characters/louise_de_chaulieu)

_romantic_

Passionate lovers who marry after a whirlwind romance, though their relationship is marked by intensity and eventual tragedy.

### [Fedelta](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/letters_of_two_brides_se/characters/fedelta)

_professional_

Fedelta is Marie Gaston's devoted servant and companion, fiercely loyal to him.

### [Renée de Maucombe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/letters_of_two_brides_se/characters/renee_de_maucombe)

_friendship_

Marie and Renée are friendly acquaintances who correspond about Louise's well-being and their own lives.

### [Renée de Maucombe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/letters_of_two_brides_se/characters/renee_de_maucombe)

_friendship_

Marie and Renée are friendly acquaintances who correspond about Louise's well-being and their own lives.

### [Louise de Chaulieu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/letters_of_two_brides_se/characters/louise_de_chaulieu)

_romantic_

Passionate lovers who marry after a whirlwind romance, though their relationship is marked by intensity and eventual tragedy.

## In the story

### [XLVIII: The Baronne de Macumer to the Comtesse de l’Estorade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/letters_of_two_brides_se/chapters/xlviii-the-baronne-de-macumer-to-the-comtesse-de-l-estorade)

The poet Louise loves and plans to marry; described as young, innocent, and unaware of the full extent of her fortune.

### [XLIX: Marie Gaston to Daniel d’Arthez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/letters_of_two_brides_se/chapters/xlix-marie-gaston-to-daniel-d-arthez)

Writes to Daniel d'Arthez, sharing his joy and secret pain about his upcoming marriage.

### [LII: Mme. Gaston to Mme. de l’Estorade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/letters_of_two_brides_se/chapters/lii-mme-gaston-to-mme-de-l-estorade)

Louise's husband, described as youthful, talented, handsome, and perfectly attuned to her in mind and body.

### [LIII: Mme. de l’Estorade to Mme. Gaston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/letters_of_two_brides_se/chapters/liii-mme-de-l-estorade-to-mme-gaston)

Louise's husband; Renée implies Louise loves him more for what he provides than for himself.

### [LIV: Mme. Gaston to the Comtesse de l’Estorade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/letters_of_two_brides_se/chapters/liv-mme-gaston-to-the-comtesse-de-l-estorade)

Louise's husband, whose secret trips to Paris and visits to a house in the Rue de la Ville l’Evêque arouse Louise's jealousy and suspicion.

### [LV: The Comtesse de l’Estorade to Mme. Gaston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/letters_of_two_brides_se/chapters/lv-the-comtesse-de-l-estorade-to-mme-gaston)

Revealed to be a devoted brother who died in India, leaving a widow and children.

### [LVI: Mme. Gaston to the Comtesse de l’Estorade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/letters_of_two_brides_se/chapters/lvi-mme-gaston-to-the-comtesse-de-l-estorade)

Referred to as 'him' whom Louise flies to and who seeks her; her husband.

### [LVII: The Comtesse de l’Estorade to the Comte de l’Estorade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/letters_of_two_brides_se/chapters/lvii-the-comtesse-de-l-estorade-to-the-comte-de-l-estorade)

Louise's second husband; initially deceived by her false cheer, but later realizes the truth and shows great courage, though he seems likely to follow her in death.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/letters_of_two_brides_se/characters/marie_gaston
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/letters_of_two_brides_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/letters_of_two_brides_se/characters