# Madame Latournelle — Modeste Mignon character guide

> Madame Latournelle in Modeste Mignon by Honoré de Balzac.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Madame Dumay, Latournelle, Little Latournelle

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

## Snapshot

The notary's wife, a doting mother at thirty-five, who serves as Modeste's chaperon and unwitting accomplice in the town's matrimonial schemes.

## Who they are

Madame Latournelle is the wife of the notary Babylas Latournelle and a woman whose maternal mania for her son Exupère borders on the comic. As Modeste's chaperon for three years, she is part of the well-meaning circle at Le Havre that seeks to guide the young heiress toward a suitable match. Her naive pride and social complacency make her both a useful ally and a blind spot in the mousetrap being laid for Modeste.

## In the story

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

Part of the spy network watching the suitors, she helps orchestrate the evening's events.

## Links

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