# Madeleine — Short Fiction character guide

> Madeleine in Short Fiction by Guy de Maupassant.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Madame Madeleine, Madame

**First appearance:** 0003-short-fiction

## Who they are

A woman whose past catches up with her in a surprising way.

## In the story

### [Paul's Mistress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/paul-s-mistress)

Paul's mistress, a thin brunette with a coarse and unfaithful nature, who flirts with other men and drives Paul to suicide.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/i)

Mentioned as Mademoiselle Cachelin, the sister with a million francs, though not directly present.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/iv)

Cora, Lesable's wife, shares his desire for a child and the inheritance. She encourages his efforts in the countryside but becomes sharp-tongued and critical when they fail, lashing out at her husband.

### [Indiscretion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/indiscretion)

The wife, Henrietta, who initiates the role-play and questions Paul about his previous mistresses, revealing her curiosity and desire for novelty.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/ii)

Henriette, Parent's ex-wife, is described as having a haughty air and appearing younger and well-fed, leaning on Limousin's arm.

### [A New Year's Gift](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/a-new-year-s-gift)

Irène is Jacques' mistress, who stages a dramatic test on New Year's Eve to gauge his commitment. She is emotional, manipulative, and ultimately triumphant.

### [The Orderly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/the-orderly)

The Colonel's wife, who drowns herself and writes a letter confessing her affair and blackmail.

### [The Mask](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/the-mask)

The old dancer's wife, who recounts her husband's lifelong infidelity and her own painful, conflicted feelings as he aged.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/characters/madeleine
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/characters