Short Fiction · Character
Constantine
A young Parisian poet of fragile health and theatrical sorrow, he attaches himself to the Maraud household and mistakes pity for passion.
supporting
Also known as Constantine Emile Du-Buis, Emile Du-Buis, Emile
First appearance: short fiction
As a supporting figure in Short Fiction, Constantine is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Emile Du-Buis, the young man passionately in love with Madame Maraud, who suffers emotional breakdowns and is eventually sent away.
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Emile Du-Buis drifts through Constantine after a funeral, a self-styled fin de siècle poet with long hair, black clothes, and one leg shorter than the other. He plays for hours with Madame Maraud's daughters, reads…
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The fuller portrait of Constantine sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Constantine in short fictionCharacter Web
7 connectionsA slice of how Constantine sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Romantic
- Other
Character groups
- Travelers and community figures
- Foreign traveler and existential reflection
- Diverse ensemble of fate and perception
+2 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
The "Endnotes" chapter functions as the narrative climax because it strips away the story's pretense of direct…
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Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Madame Maraud
romantic · ambivalent
Constantine and Madame Maraud share a passionate, possibly illicit romantic entanglement… How this plays out →
- Madame Maraud
romantic · ambivalent
Constantine and Madame Maraud share a passionate, possibly illicit romantic entanglement… How this plays out →
- Madame Maraud
romantic · ambivalent
Constantine and Madame Maraud share a passionate, possibly illicit romantic entanglement… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Constantine in short fictionIn the story
Constantine appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Constantine unlock in the free preview.
See Constantine in short fiction