# Monsieur Saval — Short Fiction character guide

> Monsieur Saval in Short Fiction by Guy de Maupassant.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Saval, Monsieur le Baron Saval, Baron, Baron Saval

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

## Snapshot

A baron and notary whose eagerness to meet celebrities lands him in a painter's bare studio, sweeping dust and buying candles in evening dress.

## Who they are

Monsieur Saval, a distinguished notary and baron, is so flattered by an invitation to meet celebrated guests that he pays both cabaret bills and follows the painter Romantin home. Instead of a glittering housewarming, he finds an empty studio with three chairs and a dilapidated broom, and is promptly set to sweeping while Romantin improvises a chandelier. His bewildered willingness to help, still in evening clothes, makes him the perfect foil for the artist's chaotic genius.

## In the story

### [Two Famous Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/v-two-famous-men)

Patissot is the central character, experiencing the visits and feeling awestruck.

### [VII: A Sad Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/vii-a-sad-story)

Patissot, the curious and talkative listener who prompts the story.

### [Magnetism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/magnetism)

Present at the dinner; engages in the debate on magnetism.

### [A Son](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/a-son)

The senator who listens to the Academician's story and reflects on the fate of fatherless children.

### [Rust](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/rust)

Mentioned as Monsieur de Courville, the Baron's lifelong friend and neighbor who proposes the marriage and later confronts the Baron about his withdrawal.

### [The Chair Mender](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/the-chair-mender)

The doctor who narrates the chair mender's story, identified as an old Paris physician retired to the country.

### [Friend Patience](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/friend-patience)

The General-Treasurer who briefly accompanies the narrator to the Rue du Coq-quichante.

### [A Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/a-party)

A notary from Vernon who considers himself a musical artiste; he is invited to Romantin's housewarming, ends up cleaning the studio, and is humiliated by the guests.

### [A Coup d'État](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/a-coup-d-tat)

Sublieutenant Pommel is ordered to put on his uniform and assist in taking possession of the town hall.

### [Regret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/regret)

The protagonist, an old bachelor who regrets his passive life and unspoken love for Madame Sandres.

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

Servigny's friend, who is skeptical about the titled introductions and teases Servigny about being in love.

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

Accompanies Servigny on a nighttime walk, offering cynical advice about Yvette's intentions and the dangers of marriage.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/iii)

Saval is present at the house, accompanying the Marquise and Yvette during their walk, though he remains a peripheral figure in Yvette's internal turmoil.

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

Assists Servigny in reviving Yvette and helps manage the situation.

### [In a Railway Carriage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_23_se/chapters/in-a-railway-carriage)

Not present; the chapter focuses on the mothers and the priest.

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

Baron René de Treilles, the host who tells the story of his farmer's tragic marriage.

## Links

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