# Clovis Sangrail — Short Fiction character guide > Clovis Sangrail in Short Fiction by Saki. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Clovis **First appearance:** 0004-reginald ## Snapshot A glitter-eyed young saboteur of amateur theatricals and country-house peace, who repays a stolen compliment with a scandal delivered straight to the footlights. ## Who they are Clovis moves through county society as a guest whose amusement is other people's discomfort, matching wits with a baroness over whose role will dominate a Greek play. When she annexes his verse for her own glorification, he turns gentle and assiduous in coaching the nervous Cassandra instead. His retaliation matters because it converts private theatrical rivalry into public scandal, exposing the social fault lines the county would rather keep curtained. ## Relationships ### [Mrs. Peter Pigeoncote](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/characters/mrs_peter_pigeoncote) _social_ Clovis and Mrs. Pigeoncote are frequent social acquaintances, likely moving in the same upper-class circles. ### [Septimus Brope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/characters/septimus_brope) _friendship_ Clovis and Septimus are close friends or allies, sharing many interactions and likely mutual interests. ### [Bertie van Tahn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/characters/bertie_van_tahn) _friendship_ Bertie and Clovis are friends and frequent companions in social settings. ### [Jane Martlet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/characters/jane_martlet) _friendship_ Clovis and Jane are friends or witty companions, often interacting in social contexts. ### [Lady Drakmanton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/characters/lady_drakmanton) _friendship_ Clovis and Lady Drakmanton are friends and frequent social companions. ### [Mrs. Peter Pigeoncote](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/characters/mrs_peter_pigeoncote) _social_ Clovis and Mrs. Pigeoncote are frequent social acquaintances, likely moving in the same upper-class circles. ### [Mrs. Peter Pigeoncote](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/characters/mrs_peter_pigeoncote) _social_ Clovis and Mrs. Pigeoncote are frequent social acquaintances, likely moving in the same upper-class circles. ### [Septimus Brope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/characters/septimus_brope) _friendship_ Clovis and Septimus are close friends or allies, sharing many interactions and likely mutual interests. ### [Bertie van Tahn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/characters/bertie_van_tahn) _friendship_ Bertie and Clovis are friends and frequent companions in social settings. ### [Bertie van Tahn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/characters/bertie_van_tahn) _friendship_ Bertie and Clovis are friends and frequent companions in social settings. ### [Jane Martlet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/characters/jane_martlet) _friendship_ Clovis and Jane are friends or witty companions, often interacting in social contexts. ### [Lady Drakmanton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/characters/lady_drakmanton) _friendship_ Clovis and Lady Drakmanton are friends and frequent social companions. ## In the story ### [Reginald](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/reginald) The narrator who persuades Reginald to attend and later regrets it. ### [Reginald at the Carlton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/reginald-at-the-carlton) Mentioned indirectly through Reginald's style; not directly present. ### [Reginald's Drama](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/reginald-s-drama) The 'Other' who engages Reginald in conversation about the drama. ### [Reginald's Rubaiyat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/reginald-s-rubaiyat) Implied listener of Reginald's story, addressed as 'you' in the final paragraph. ### [The Innocence of Reginald](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-innocence-of-reginald) The unnamed 'Other' who converses with Reginald and suggests a fortnight in Paris. ### [Reginald in Russia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/reginald-in-russia) Mentioned indirectly as a type; Reginald's wit and style echo Clovis's characteristic flippancy. ### [The Soul of Laploshka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-soul-of-laploshka) The narrator of the story, who tricks Laploshka into paying for a meal and later struggles to dispose of the two francs in a way that satisfies Laploshka's spirit. ### [The Matchmaker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-matchmaker) The protagonist of the chapter; he dines with a friend and explains his scheme to get his mother remarried, having selected a military man from the club. ### [Tobermory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/tobermory) Maintains composure during the crisis, privately considering bribery with mice. ### [Wratislav](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/wratislav) Observes that the Gräfin's elder sons making deplorable marriages is a family habit. ### [The Unrest-Cure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-unrest-cure) Impersonates a bishop's secretary to orchestrate an elaborate and terrifying 'Unrest-cure' for the overly sedate J. P. Huddle. ### [The Background](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-background) Clovis is the listener in the framing narrative, hearing the journalist's tale of Henri Deplis. ### [Adrian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/adrian) Satellite in the Mebberley constellation; writes letters to Lucas detailing Adrian's outrageous behavior at Dohledorf. ### [The Jesting of Arlington Stringham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-jesting-of-arlington-stringham) Dines with the Stringhams and makes witty remarks about meringues and his aunt. ### [The Stampeding of Lady Bastable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-stampeding-of-lady-bastable) The mischievous young man who stages a false jacquerie to embarrass Lady Bastable and avoid an unwanted stay. ### [Ministers of Grace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/ministers-of-grace) Not directly present in the excerpts; no evidence of appearance in this chapter. ### [Filboid Studge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/filboid-studge) Appears at the end to comment on Mark's ironic success. ### [Esmé](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/esm) Listener to the Baroness's hunting story; interjects with skeptical commentary. ### [The Chaplet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-chaplet) Narrates the story of the tragedy at the Grand Sybaris Hotel to his friend. ### [Mrs. Packletide's Tiger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/mrs-packletide-s-tiger) Makes a witty suggestion about a primeval dance party at the County Costume Ball, teasing Mrs. Packletide about her Diana costume. ### [A Matter of Sentiment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/a-matter-of-sentiment) Leads the covert discussions about the race and orchestrates the scheme to get inside information from the butler. ### [The Peace Offering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-peace-offering) Stage-manager and adapter of the Greek play; insists on the Sumurun manner and prioritizes his charioteer role, leading to conflict with the Baroness. ### [The Recessional](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-recessional) Writing a Durbar Recessional poem in a Turkish bath, having bet Loona Bimberton he can write coronation-style verse. ### [The Talking-Out of Tarrington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-talking-out-of-tarrington) Volunteers to distract Mr. Tarrington, using witty and nonsensical talk to drive him away. ### [The Secret Sin of Septimus Brope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-secret-sin-of-septimus-brope) Investigates Septimus Brope's secret, negotiates a deal to write a new song, and arranges a trip abroad. ### [The Story of St. Vespaluus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-story-of-st-vespaluus) Narrates the story of St. Vespaluus to the baroness, rearranging cushions for comfort and displaying his characteristic wit. ### [The Way to the Dairy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-way-to-the-dairy) Narrates the story of the Brimley Bomefields to the Baroness. ### [The Schartz-Metterklume Method](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-schartz-metterklume-method) Not directly present, but the story's tone and Lady Carlotta's wit echo Clovis's characteristic mischief. ### [The She-Wolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-she-wolf) Orchestrates the prank by borrowing Lord Pabham's she-wolf Louisa and staging the illusion of transforming Mary Hampton into a wolf, then claims credit for Siberian magic. ### [Shock Tactics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/shock-tactics) Devises the hoax of sending spoof letters from 'Clotilde' to teach Bertie's mother a lesson about opening letters. ### [The Hen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-hen) Protagonist who orchestrates a scheme to make Jane Martlet leave by exploiting her fear of a supposedly delusional butler. ### [The Feast of Nemesis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-feast-of-nemesis) Proposes the concept of Nemesis Day and suggests elaborate, vindictive pranks. ### [Cousin Teresa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/cousin-teresa) Mentioned as knowing most associates by sight and commenting on Lucas's appearance as protective mimicry. ### [The Forbidden Buzzards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-forbidden-buzzards) Devises a clever lie about Lanner's egg-collecting obsession to protect the buzzards and aid Hugo's romantic interests. ### [Clovis on Parental Responsibilities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/clovis-on-parental-responsibilities) Engages in a witty and provocative dialogue with Mrs. Eggelby, challenging her parental pride and social conventions. ### [The Brogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-brogue) Advisor to the Mullet family, devises schemes to prevent Mr. Penricarde from riding the Brogue. ### [The Almanac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-almanac) Engages in conversation with Vera about the almanac and later fabricates a story to frighten Jocelyn Vanner. ### [The Oversight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-oversight) Mentioned as having put a wasp down Selina Goobie's back to test Christian Science beliefs, causing a previous house party upheaval. ### [Canossa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/canossa) Not directly present in this chapter; no character from the provided excerpts matches Clovis Sangrail. ### [Fate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/fate) Confidant who warns Rex against rash betting. ### [The Romance of Business](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-romance-of-business) Margaret's nephew, who listens to her tale and comments on the 'Romance of Business.' ### [Louise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/louise) Mentioned as having irreverently commented on Lady Beanford's imaginary ill-health. ### [Clovis on the Alleged Romance of Business](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/clovis-on-the-alleged-romance-of-business) Delivers a monologue dismissing the romance of business, praising the adventurous origins of trade goods. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/characters/clovis_sangrail - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/characters