# Hortense Gérard — Shirley character guide

> Hortense Gérard in Shirley by Charlotte Brontë.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Hortense, Hortense Moore, Cousin Hortense, Moore, Hortense Gérard Moore, Gérard Moore, Miss Hortense

**First appearance:** 0004-v-hollow-s-cottage

## Snapshot

Robert Moore's proud, exacting sister, who runs his household with rigid economy and loves him with a fierce, possessive devotion.

## Who they are

Hortense Gérard presides over the Moore household with a discipline that is both comic and touching, her French precision clashing with Yorkshire ways. Her love for her brother Robert is consuming and jealous, and she dreads the day a wife will displace her from his life. That fear gives her an unexpected vulnerability, and her fierce domestic pride makes her a memorable counterweight to the novel's grander passions.

## In the story

### [Hollow's Cottage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/v-hollow-s-cottage)

Mentioned as Moore's sister, who teaches Caroline and prepares dinner; she is briefly present in the background.

### [VI: Coriolanus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/vi-coriolanus)

Caroline's cousin and teacher, strict and proud of her domestic skills, especially fine sewing and French grammar.

### [The Curates at Tea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/vii-the-curates-at-tea)

Mentioned as Caroline's cousin, to whom she goes for lessons at ten o'clock.

### [The School Feast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xvii-the-school-feast)

Hortense attends the feast and initially treats Caroline with cool dignity, but softens upon seeing her pale appearance. She leaves early with Miss Mann.

### [An Evening Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxiii-an-evening-out)

Hosts the evening gathering and later rushes to the kitchen after a preserving accident.

### [The Schoolboy and the Wood-Nymph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxxii-the-schoolboy-and-the-wood-nymph)

Assists in Moore's care and bonds with Mrs. Yorke over shared views on servants.

### [Martin's Tactics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxxiii-martin-s-tactics)

Lured away from the house by Martin's gossip about the maid Sarah's suitors, allowing the meeting to proceed.

### [XXXV: Wherein Matters Make Some Progress, but Not Much](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxxv-wherein-matters-make-some-progress-but-not-much)

Briefly enters the room near the end of the conversation, prompting the conclusion of the private talk.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/endnotes)

Mentioned in French notes about family and servants.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/hortense_gerard
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters