# Monsieur Rigaud — Little Dorrit character guide

> Monsieur Rigaud in Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Rigaud, Blandois, Monsieur Blandois

**First appearance:** 0006-iv-mrs-flintwinch-has-a-dream

## Snapshot

A suave, murderous Frenchman who travels under aliases and collects secrets like debts, he arrives in England wearing scent and rings and looking for someone to ruin.

## Who they are

Rigaud — also calling himself Blandois — is a predator in evening dress, his greed barely concealed beneath elaborate courtesy and his violence always one polite sentence away. He insinuates himself into the Clennam household and into Mr. Dorrit's vanity, sensing weakness the way a hound scents blood. He is the novel's shadow, the reminder that respectability and villainy often share the same drawing-room.

## In the story

### [Sun and Shadow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/i-sun-and-shadow)

A prisoner in Marseilles, he narrates his version of his wife's death, claiming it was suicide during a quarrel. He is proud, manipulative, and insists on his gentility despite his imprisonment.

### [XI: Let Loose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xi-let-loose)

The weary traveler who arrives at the Break of Day inn; he is revealed to be the notorious criminal Rigaud, who murdered his wife and was acquitted. He boasts of his gentlemanly qualities and vows revenge on society.

### [Mrs. Flintwinch Goes on Dreaming](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xxix-mrs-flintwinch-goes-on-dreaming)

Appears as a foreign-looking man dressed like a traveller, with black hair and moustache, who startles Mistress Affery by touching her shoulder.

### [The Word of a Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xxx-the-word-of-a-gentleman)

Visits the Clennam house under the name Blandois, flatters Mrs. Clennam, examines the watch, and displays a sinister, watchful manner.

### [Fellow Travellers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/i-fellow-travellers)

The insinuating traveller who signs the book as Blandois; his manner is disagreeable to the young lady.

### [On the Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/iii-on-the-road)

Pays his respects to the ladies at the convent; Little Dorrit finds his appearance sinister and notices him watching the party as they descend.

### [Something Right Somewhere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/vi-something-right-somewhere)

Blandois appears at the water's edge, looking pale after his adventure with Lion, but makes light of it.

### [X: The Dreams of Mrs. Flintwinch Thicken](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/x-the-dreams-of-mrs-flintwinch-thicken)

Appears as Blandois, the visitor; flushes with drink, snaps his fingers contemptuously, and makes ominous remarks about trust and safety.

### [Missing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xvii-missing)

Monsieur Blandois is the missing foreign gentleman whose disappearance is the subject of the handbill and the inquiry.

### [An Appearance in the Marshalsea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xxviii-an-appearance-in-the-marshalsea)

Brought to Arthur's cell by Cavalletto and Pancks; he writes a threatening letter to Mrs. Clennam and taunts Arthur.

### [XXX: Closing In](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xxx-closing-in)

Coercively narrates the Clennam family history, exposing secrets and manipulating Mrs. Clennam and Flintwinch.

### [Closed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xxxi-closed)

Mentioned as the blackmailer waiting at Mrs. Clennam's house, possessing the proofs and demanding a large sum.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters/rigaud
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/little_dorrit_se/characters