Duc de Sairmeuse

Martial de Sairmeuse

The Duc de Sairmeuse is Martial's father, a proud and manipulative aristocrat who pressures his son to uphold family honor and class interests.

Lacheneur

The Duc de Sairmeuse and Lacheneur are bitter enemies, as the Duc usurped Lacheneur's family estate after the Revolution.

Lacheneur

The Duc de Sairmeuse and Lacheneur are bitter enemies, as the Duc usurped Lacheneur's family estate after the Revolution.

Martial de Sairmeuse

The Duc de Sairmeuse is Martial's father, a proud and manipulative aristocrat who pressures his son to uphold family honor and class interests.

Martial de Sairmeuse

The Duc de Sairmeuse is Martial's father, a proud and manipulative aristocrat who pressures his son to uphold family honor and class interests.

Lacheneur

The Duc de Sairmeuse and Lacheneur are bitter enemies, as the Duc usurped Lacheneur's family estate after the Revolution.

XXI

Owner of the Hôtel de Sairmeuse, where a reception is being held; his valet Otto is sent to inquire about the disturbance.

XXV

His biography is read; he is suspected by Tabaret to be the prisoner May, and Lecoq resolves to pursue him secretly.

I

The returning nobleman whose arrival threatens the peasants' land ownership.

II

The former owner of Sairmeuse; his imminent return is the catalyst for Lacheneur's crisis.

III

Returns to Sairmeuse with his son, displaying arrogance and a belief that the old order can be restored by force.

IV

Arrives at the priest's house and confronts Lacheneur, demanding interest on the Sairmeuse estate's revenues with insolence.

V

Mentioned as the agent of Lacheneur's ruin; his arrival in Montaignac sets events in motion.

VII

Delighted by the peasants' acclamations, he renounces claims to certain lands, believing he has won their loyalty.

X

Revels in his restored independence from his son's financial control, explores the château, and reluctantly agrees to Martial's proposal of an indemnity for Lacheneur.

XII

Orders the removal of Lacheneur's belongings from the château but is persuaded by Martial to stop.

XIII

Mentioned as having offered compensation to Lacheneur through his son.

XIV

Reproaches Martial for intervening to protect Baron d'Escorval, suggesting the baron may be conspiring.

XV

Returns to France and readily believes Chupin's reports, unjustly accusing Baron d'Escorval of conspiracy.

XVII

Negotiates the marriage alliance with the marquis; reveals Martial's visits to Lacheneur's.

Chapter XX

Learns of the rebellion and his son's involvement; captures a conspirator and seeks counsel from the Marquis de Courtornieu.

XXII

Surprises and captures Major Carini, dragging him to the citadel.

XXIII

Mobilizes troops, orders the attack on the peasants, and later interrogates his son Martial about his wound and possible involvement in the conspiracy.

XXV

Engages in a violent altercation with the Marquis de Courtornieu over the treatment of prisoners, opposing the arrest of Marie-Anne.

XXVI

Presides over the military commission and reviews prisoners, acting as participant, witness, and judge.

XXVII

Presides over the military commission with haughty and merciless demeanor, wearing full uniform and showing indecent joy at the baron's incrimination.

XXIX

Initially furious at Marie-Anne's accusation, he is forced to consider the escape plan after learning of his son's role.

XXXII

Participates in the investigation, expresses delight at the possibility of the baron's death, and is intimidated by his son's sternness.

XXXIII

Regrets his exaggerated reports and tries unsuccessfully to obtain pardons for the condemned prisoners.

XXXIV

Desperate to suppress the scandal, tries to silence Martial.

XXXIX

Furious at the political fallout, he searches for Martial and dismisses the fleeing guests, more concerned about his own ambitions.

XL

Spends the night in raving and swearing after his son's disappearance; receives Martial's letter and is bewildered; confronts the departing Courtornieu and Blanche; later drives himself to see Martial and is reassured by his son's political reasoning.

XLII

Implied to have been manipulated by Martial; he expels Chupin from the château and offers him money, which is refused.

XLIX

Dies in a hunting accident; his horse returns riderless, and his mangled body is found at the base of a precipice.

Epilogue

Believes he has outwitted Lecoq, but is tricked into writing a confession that proves his presence at the Poivrière.