The Arrow of Gold · Character

Therese

Rita's pious and watchful companion, she moves through the household with the quiet authority of someone who has decided what she thinks of everyone.

supporting

Also known as Mademoiselle Therese, Mademoiselle, the pious Therese

First appearance: the arrow of gold

As a supporting figure in The Arrow of Gold, Therese is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Rita's sister, described as a peasant woman with a rosary, who runs the house and is frightened of the city.

In the storyIIOpen this moment free

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Therese attends Rita with a devotion that shades into judgment, her piety a constant counterpoint to the worldly currents around her mistress. She is present at the edges of key scenes, observing, disapproving, and occasionally speaking a truth no one else will. She matters because she reminds the reader that Rita's world is not only made of suitors and intrigues but also of servants, prayers, and the small moral economies of a household.

Continue beside the text

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See Therese in the arrow of gold

Character Web

16 connections

A slice of how Therese sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Psychological
Other

Character groups

Core romantic intrigue
Protagonist
Political and social backdrop

+11 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional peak occurs when Doña Rita, stripped of her usual composure, collapses into a "mere chaos of sen…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Captain Blunt
psychological · negative
Captain Blunt and Therese are uneasy allies, each manipulating the other to gain control… How this plays out →
José Ortega
psychological · negative
George
psychological · negative
Captain Blunt
psychological · negative
Captain Blunt and Therese are uneasy allies, each manipulating the other to gain control… How this plays out →
George
psychological · negative
José Ortega
psychological · negative
José Ortega
psychological · negative
George
psychological · negative

Captain Blunt
Captain Blunt and Therese are uneasy allies, each manipulating the other to gain control over Doña Rita.
José Ortega
José Ortega and Therese are co-conspirators, manipulating each other while scheming against Doña Rita.
George
George is wary and distrustful of Therese, seeing her as a toxic influence on Doña Rita.
Captain Blunt
Captain Blunt and Therese are uneasy allies, each manipulating the other to gain control over Doña Rita.
George
George is wary and distrustful of Therese, seeing her as a toxic influence on Doña Rita.
José Ortega
José Ortega and Therese are co-conspirators, manipulating each other while scheming against Doña Rita.
José Ortega
José Ortega and Therese are co-conspirators, manipulating each other while scheming against Doña Rita.
George
George is wary and distrustful of Therese, seeing her as a toxic influence on Doña Rita.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Therese in the arrow of gold

In the story

Therese appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

II
II
III
IV
I
II
I
III
+4 more

II
Rita's sister, described as a peasant woman with a rosary, who runs the house and is frightened of the city.
II
Described as physically and temperamentally opposite to Rita, with a hard, earthenware-like quality and a smile that never reaches her eyes.
III
The narrator's landlady, who is startled by his arrival and informs him of Mr. Blunt's return.
IV
Appears briefly, showing disapproval and warning the narrator about Rita's influence.
I
Rita's pious and judgmental sister, who believes Rita is sinful and claims the house was given to her by Rita.
II
Serves lunch and is present during the conversation.
I
Rita's sister, who avoids discussing Rita and seems to have a new, sanctimonious preoccupation. She accuses Rita of being hard-hearted and possessed.
III
Cares for the narrator upon his destitute return to Marseilles, despite her fears.
V
Shown as manipulative and controlling, having pressured Rita about her will and attempted to keep her from George.
Chapter VI
Mentioned as having the key to the fencing-room and being in the house, though not present in the scene.
VII
Her fanaticism and cunning are revealed; she gave the key to Ortega, believing it righteous.
Chapter VIII
Appears as an implacable, judgmental figure, waiting outside the door to confront her sister. Her self-righteousness and lack of compassion contrast sharply with the narrator's care for Rita.

Chapter companion notes

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See Therese in the arrow of gold

See Therese in II