Lacheneur

Marie-Anne Lacheneur

Lacheneur is Marie-Anne's father, a proud and embittered peasant who involves her in his schemes against the nobility.

Monsieur Lecoq

Lacheneur is a key suspect in the murder investigation led by Monsieur Lecoq, creating a tense adversarial dynamic.

Duc de Sairmeuse

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

Marie-Anne Lacheneur

Lacheneur is Marie-Anne's father, a proud and embittered peasant who involves her in his schemes against the nobility.

Monsieur Lecoq

Lacheneur is a key suspect in the murder investigation led by Monsieur Lecoq, creating a tense adversarial dynamic.

Duc de Sairmeuse

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

Monsieur Lecoq

Lacheneur is a key suspect in the murder investigation led by Monsieur Lecoq, creating a tense adversarial dynamic.

Marie-Anne Lacheneur

Lacheneur is Marie-Anne's father, a proud and embittered peasant who involves her in his schemes against the nobility.

Duc de Sairmeuse

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

The Examination of the Widow Chupin and the Prisoner May

Mysterious figure mentioned as the key to the enigma; Lecoq vows to find him.

XII

Mentioned as a person connected to the affair, whose name was uttered by the dying soldier.

Part II: The Honor of the Name

Central figure in the honor conflict, his name and legacy are at stake.

I

The former mayor and current owner of the Sairmeuse estate, who is visibly shaken by the news of the duke's return.

II

Walks in despair after receiving Chupin's message; recalls his rise from ploughboy to owner of Sairmeuse; agonizes over whether to return the property to the duke.

IV

Returns the Sairmeuse estate to the duke, is humiliated by the demand for interest, and leaves vowing never to return.

V

Arrives in despair after being stripped of his wealth by the Duc de Sairmeuse; relates the scene at the presbytery; resolves to live in poverty and refuses to seek legal recourse.

VI

Father of Marie-Anne; he is initially confounded by the news of the duke's reception but later supports the marriage prospect.

VIII

His will determines Marie-Anne's fate; peasants speculate about his wealth despite his apparent ruin.

IX

Mentioned as having refused Maurice's suit and being socially ruined.

X

The former steward who restored Sairmeuse; is now the subject of a proposed indemnity and lives in a cottage, with his daughter Marie-Anne being a point of interest for Martial.

XI

Appears suddenly at the end of the chapter and refuses Maurice's request for Marie-Anne's hand.

Chapter XVI

Publicly berates his son Jean for debts and acting, then feigns reconciliation with the Sairmeuse family while secretly plotting vengeance; refuses Baron d'Escorval's pleas regarding Marie-Anne.

XVII

Overhears Blanche's cruel words and vows revenge against the aristocracy.

XVIII

Rejects Maurice's suit, is involved in a conspiracy, and reluctantly accepts Maurice into the plot after a threat of suicide.

XIX

Orchestrates the conspiracy, using Martial as a spy, purchasing a horse for his journeys, and ultimately setting fire to his own cottage as a signal for rebellion.

Chapter XX

Named as one of the leaders of the peasant uprising.

XXI

Leader of the rebellion, determined to march on Montaignac despite warnings from the baron and priest.

XXII

Leads the rebellion but loses control; delays in Sairmeuse and learns of Carini's arrest; deceives followers with false hope, seeking death in defeat.

XXIII

Leads the peasant revolt, tries to rally the fleeing men, and after defeat charges the enemy alone, falling under his horse.

XXXI

Betrayed by his friends and the innkeeper, forced to flee, captured, and later learns a reward is offered for him dead or alive.

XXXIII

In a state of despondency in prison, takes full blame at trial, and is executed with dignity.