# Ernest de la Brière — Modeste Mignon character guide

> Ernest de la Brière in Modeste Mignon by Honoré de Balzac.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Ernest, la Brière, Brière, Monsieur Ernest de la Brière, Monsieur de la Brière, Poor la Brière

**First appearance:** 0001-modeste-mignon

## Snapshot

Canalis's modest, self-effacing secretary, he writes the letters that win Modeste's heart and then must watch another man claim the credit.

## Who they are

Ernest serves as the brilliant poet's shadow, drafting correspondence, managing affairs, and living on modest means while his employer basks in glory. Sensitive and honorable, he finds himself genuinely moved by the unknown correspondent and increasingly torn between loyalty to Canalis and his own growing feeling for her. His quiet decency against the poet's vanity becomes the moral hinge on which Modeste's choice—and the novel's judgment of love—will turn.

## Relationships

### [Modeste Mignon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/characters/modeste_mignon)

_romantic_

Ernest is Modeste's true love and eventual husband, representing sincere and steadfast affection.

### [Jean Butscha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/characters/jean_butscha)

_friendship_

Ernest and Jean become allies, with Jean helping Ernest win Modeste's heart through clever schemes.

### [Madame Mignon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/characters/madame_mignon)

_social_

Ernest is a respectful suitor who wins Madame Mignon's approval through his sincerity and good character.

### [Modeste Mignon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/characters/modeste_mignon)

_romantic_

Ernest is Modeste's true love and eventual husband, representing sincere and steadfast affection.

### [Modeste Mignon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/characters/modeste_mignon)

_romantic_

Ernest is Modeste's true love and eventual husband, representing sincere and steadfast affection.

### [Madame Mignon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/characters/madame_mignon)

_social_

Ernest is a respectful suitor who wins Madame Mignon's approval through his sincerity and good character.

### [Madame Mignon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/characters/madame_mignon)

_social_

Ernest is a respectful suitor who wins Madame Mignon's approval through his sincerity and good character.

### [Jean Butscha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/characters/jean_butscha)

_friendship_

Ernest and Jean become allies, with Jean helping Ernest win Modeste's heart through clever schemes.

### [Jean Butscha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/characters/jean_butscha)

_friendship_

Ernest and Jean become allies, with Jean helping Ernest win Modeste's heart through clever schemes.

## In the story

### [Modeste Mignon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/chapters/modeste-mignon)

Deeply in love with Modeste, he is tormented by the trick he played and fears her contempt.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/characters/ernest_de_la_briere
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/modeste_mignon_se/characters