# Charles de la Feste — Short Fiction character guide

> Charles de la Feste in Short Fiction by Thomas Hardy.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** this M. de la Feste, M. Charles de la Feste, M. de la Feste, M., Charles, Meanwhile poor Charles, Charley

**First appearance:** 0168-a-committeeman-of-the-terror

## Snapshot

A Frenchman in Venice whose delayed marriage and divided affections leave two women and himself dangerously exposed.

## Who they are

Charles de la Feste drifts through Venetian canals and hotel corridors with the air of a man who has postponed a decision too long. He is caught between Caroline, to whom he is bound, and Alicia, who has nursed and loved him, and his silences do more damage than any cruelty could. His indecision is the hinge on which the story's middle turns, forcing both women to act in his place.

## Relationships

### [Caroline](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/caroline)

_family_

Caroline and Charles are married, their relationship defined by duty and underlying tension.

### [Caroline](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/caroline)

_family_

Caroline and Charles are married, their relationship defined by duty and underlying tension.

### [Caroline](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/caroline)

_family_

Caroline and Charles are married, their relationship defined by duty and underlying tension.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/ii)

Referred to as Baron von Xanten, the mysterious foreign gentleman is found in a state of anguish, possibly with a pistol. A letter transforms his mood, and he expresses deep gratitude to Margery.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/iii)

The Baron arrives late, agrees to take Margery to the ball, teaches her to dance, and takes her jacket to have a dress made.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/iv)

The Baron orchestrates the rendezvous, provides a ball gown, and travels under a false name, displaying both care and duplicity.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/xvii)

Not present in this chapter.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/vi)

Charles, Baptista's first husband, is deceased; his funeral takes place at Redrutin, where Baptista secretly attends and drops forget-me-nots on his coffin.

### [I: She Misses Her Sister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/i-she-misses-her-sister)

A French-born painter and friend of the Marlets, mentioned in Caroline's letters; the narrator suspects he is courting Caroline.

### [II: News Interesting and Serious](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/ii-news-interesting-and-serious)

Caroline's fiancé, a French artist living in Versailles, approved by the mother but unknown to the narrator and father.

### [III: Her Gloom Lightens a Little](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/iii-her-gloom-lightens-a-little)

Caroline's betrothed, a painter who postpones his visit to capture aerial effects in Holland; admired by the narrator and her father for his character and appearance.

### [IV: She Beholds the Attractive Stranger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/iv-she-beholds-the-attractive-stranger)

Caroline's fiancé, a man of genius; he arrives later than expected, shows attentiveness to the narrator, and seems less eager to reunite with Caroline during the wood walk.

### [V: Her Situation Is a Trying One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/v-her-situation-is-a-trying-one)

Caroline's betrothed who confesses his love for Alicia; he leaves without fulfilling his engagement.

### [VII: A Surprise Awaits Her](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/vii-a-surprise-awaits-her)

Charles is in Venice, having written reproachfully to Christine. He is conflicted about his feelings for Christine versus his obligation to Caroline, and has stopped replying to letters.

### [VIII: She Travels in Pursuit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/viii-she-travels-in-pursuit)

Found in Venice; learns of Caroline's arrival; agrees to propose to Caroline again out of honor, but admits his love is for the narrator.

### [IX: She Witnesses the End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/ix-she-witnesses-the-end)

Charles marries Caroline out of honor, but appears ghostly and resigned; he dies by drowning on the wedding day, possibly by suicide.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters/charles_de_la_feste
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_53_se/characters