# Josephine Balsamo — Memoirs of Arsène Lupin character guide > Josephine Balsamo in Memoirs of Arsène Lupin by Maurice Leblanc. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Josephine Pellegrini, Balsamo, Countess of Cagliostro **First appearance:** 0001-memoirs-of-ars-ne-lupin ## Who they are A woman of impossible youth and unnerving power, she moves through Normandy like a rumor—loved, feared, and never quite caught. ## Relationships ### [Ralph d'Andresy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/characters/ralph_d_andresy) _romantic_ Josephine and Ralph share a deep, passionate romantic bond, marked by intense interactions and mutual devotion. ### [Beaumagnan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/characters/beaumagnan) _rivalry_ Beaumagnan and Josephine are adversaries, often clashing over their conflicting goals and loyalties. ### [Leonard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/characters/leonard) _rivalry_ Josephine and Leonard are locked in a hostile dynamic, often working against each other. ### [Clarice d'Etigues](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/characters/clarice_d_etigues) _rivalry_ Clarice and Josephine are romantic rivals, both vying for Ralph's affection and creating jealousy. ### [Baron Godfrey d'Etigues](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/characters/baron_godfrey_d_etigues) _rivalry_ Baron Godfrey and Josephine are antagonists, often in conflict due to their opposing interests. ### [Josine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/characters/josine) _rivalry_ Josephine and Josine are bitter enemies, frequently scheming against each other. ### [Dominique](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/characters/dominique) _professional_ Dominique serves Josephine, likely as a loyal servant or assistant in her schemes. ### [Ralph d'Andresy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/characters/ralph_d_andresy) _romantic_ Josephine and Ralph share a deep, passionate romantic bond, marked by intense interactions and mutual devotion. ### [Ralph d'Andresy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/characters/ralph_d_andresy) _romantic_ Josephine and Ralph share a deep, passionate romantic bond, marked by intense interactions and mutual devotion. ### [Beaumagnan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/characters/beaumagnan) _rivalry_ Beaumagnan and Josephine are adversaries, often clashing over their conflicting goals and loyalties. ### [Leonard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/characters/leonard) _rivalry_ Josephine and Leonard are locked in a hostile dynamic, often working against each other. ### [Clarice d'Etigues](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/characters/clarice_d_etigues) _rivalry_ Clarice and Josephine are romantic rivals, both vying for Ralph's affection and creating jealousy. ## In the story ### [Memoirs of Arsène Lupin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/memoirs-of-ars-ne-lupin) A mysterious and influential figure who interacts with Lupin, possibly as an ally or adversary. ### [II: Josephine Balsamo Born in 1788](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/ii-josephine-balsamo-born-in-1788) The Countess of Cagliostro, born Josephine Pellegrini, claims to be the daughter of Cagliostro and Josephine de Beauharnais. She is beautiful, mysterious, and possesses clairvoyant gifts. ### [III: A Tribunal of the Inquisition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/iii-a-tribunal-of-the-inquisition) Accused of murder and attempted poisoning; defends herself calmly, revealing her apparent longevity through a miniature portrait. ### [The Sinking Boat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/iv-the-sinking-boat) The victim of the attempted drowning; rescued by Ralph, but later escapes the barn, leaving a note forbidding him to see her again. ### [V: One of the Seven Branches](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/v-one-of-the-seven-branches) Rescues Ralph from his pursuers, pulling him into a carriage. Remains mysterious and alluring. ### [VI: Detectives and Policemen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/vi-detectives-and-policemen) Travels with Ralph, uses a mirror to recover from emotion, steals a wallet, and reveals her knowledge of Ralph's criminal history. She insists they part ways. ### [VII: The Delights of Capua](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/vii-the-delights-of-capua) Leads a double life as a thief and mistress; maintains secrecy about her age and the Candlestick affair, causing friction with Ralph. ### [VIII: Two Wills](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/viii-two-wills) Resists at first but eventually surrenders to Ralph's demands, revealing the story of the Chevalier des Aubes. ### [IX: The Tarpeian Rock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/ix-the-tarpeian-rock) Administered a narcotic to Ralph; her murder is the subject of Ralph's accusation against Beaumagnan and the others. ### [X: The Mutilated Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/x-the-mutilated-hand) Faints after a secret mission, is confronted by Ralph about her crimes, and tries to maintain her hold on him. ### [XI: The Old Lighthouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/xi-the-old-lighthouse) Arrives at the lighthouse, is attacked by Beaumagnan, but survives; kisses Ralph and threatens Beaumagnan. ### [Madness and Genius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/xii-madness-and-genius) Coldly reveals the murder committed by Clarice's father and Bennetot, using the information to torment Clarice and extract the secret of the casket. ### [XIII: The Strongbox of the Monks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/xiii-the-strongbox-of-the-monks) Strikes Ralph, suffers a nervous attack, orders Leonard to guard the prisoners, and secretly retrieves the treasure. ### [XIV: The Infernal Creature](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/xiv-the-infernal-creature) Confesses her upbringing in crime, attempts to seduce Ralph, and is horrified by his appearance. ### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/epilogue) Flees after the treasure affair; suspected of causing the deaths of Baron d'Etigues and Oscar de Bennetot, poisoning Dominique, and abducting Jean. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/endnotes) Referenced in the context of her unexplained flight from Fontainebleau. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/characters/josephine_balsamo - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/characters