# Petit-Claud — Lost Illusions character guide

> Petit-Claud in Lost Illusions by Honoré de Balzac.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Pierre Petit-Claud, Claud

**First appearance:** 0002-part-i-two-poets

## Snapshot

An Angoulême lawyer whose modest practice hides a schemer's appetite for the main chance, ever ready to profit from a rival's ruin.

## Who they are

Petit-Claud belongs to the small, watchful world of provincial attorneys who know everyone's debts and secrets before the parties do. His cunning is patient rather than bold, and he measures opportunity by what another man's misfortune can be made to yield. In the early struggle over the Séchard printing works, he becomes the quiet instrument through which local resentments and business rivalries find their legal shape.

## Relationships

### [David Séchard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/david_sechard)

_professional_

Petit-Claud is David's lawyer who initially appears helpful but later betrays him by colluding with Cointet.

### [Lucien Chardon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/lucien_chardon)

_social_

Lucien and Petit-Claud are former school acquaintances, but Petit-Claud later becomes his adversary.

### [David Séchard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/david_sechard)

_professional_

Petit-Claud is David's lawyer who initially appears helpful but later betrays him by colluding with Cointet.

### [Lucien Chardon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/lucien_chardon)

_social_

Lucien and Petit-Claud are former school acquaintances, but Petit-Claud later becomes his adversary.

### [Lucien Chardon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/lucien_chardon)

_social_

Lucien and Petit-Claud are former school acquaintances, but Petit-Claud later becomes his adversary.

### [David Séchard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/david_sechard)

_professional_

Petit-Claud is David's lawyer who initially appears helpful but later betrays him by colluding with Cointet.

## In the story

### [Part III: Eve and David](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_illusions_se/chapters/part-iii-eve-and-david)

Arranges David's release, takes the forged letter, and negotiates the sale of the printing business to the Cointets.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters/petit_claud
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_illusions_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lost_illusions_se/characters