# Comte Paul de Virieu — The Chink in the Armour character guide > Comte Paul de Virieu in The Chink in the Armour by Marie Belloc Lowndes. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Paul de Virieu, de Virieu, Count Paul de Virieu, Count, M. le Comte **First appearance:** 0001-the-chink-in-the-armour ## Snapshot A French aristocrat with a gambler's appetite, drawn into Sylvia's circle and into the dangerous currents running beneath Lacville's polite society. ## Who they are Count Paul de Virieu moves through the same fashionable foreign set as Sylvia, a titled Frenchman whose polish cannot quite disguise the gambler's restlessness beneath it. His attraction to Sylvia and his familiarity with the gambling world around Lacville place him at the intersection of romance and risk. He matters because he is the kind of charming, compromised man through whom the novel's menace reaches the heroine. ## In the story ### [The Chink in the Armour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/the-chink-in-the-armour) The Count is increasingly attentive to Sylvia, and their relationship is growing closer, providing her with a sense of security. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as a current guest at the Villa du Lac, a nobleman. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/iv) Holds the bank at the baccarat table, fixes Sylvia with a thoughtful gaze, and intervenes to allow her to play despite lacking a membership card. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/v) Present at the Villa du Lac, speaks to Sylvia in English, offers to propose her for the Casino Club. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/vi) Goes for an early morning ride, warns Sylvia about Lacville, and confesses his gambling addiction. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/ix) Watches Sylvia play, follows her bets, and wins the same amount, but remains aloof and does not congratulate her. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/x) Wishes Sylvia to give up play, warns her against casual friendships, and spends much time with her at the Villa du Lac; returns from Paris and immediately goes to the baccarat table. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xi) Shows shame at the Casino, arranges for Sylvia to meet his sister, and shares intimate details about his aristocratic family. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xii) The Count leaves Lacville to meet Sylvia in Paris the next day, avoiding gossip. He is the subject of Anna's warnings about his ruined finances and gambling habits. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xiii) Deeply conflicted about his feelings for Sylvia and his duty as an honorable man, he struggles with his conscience while enjoying the flirtation. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xiv) Absent but in Sylvia's thoughts; she reflects on their recent visit to Paris and his dislike of the Wachners. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xv) Returns early from Paris, shows concern for Sylvia, and discusses Anna's disappearance with her. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xvi) Accompanies Sylvia to the police station and the Pension Malfait, showing his growing closeness to her. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xvii) Spends mornings riding with Sylvia, expresses suspicion about the Wachners, and warns Sylvia about them, noting their sudden financial improvement. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xix) The Frenchman sitting next to Sylvia at the baccarat table, with whom she speaks in an eager, intimate fashion. He is not playing. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xxii) Returns to Lacville and holds the bank at baccarat, losing a large sum of money to Sylvia and others. He looks worn and tired after his journey from Brittany. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xxiii) Receives Sylvia's note, rides alone, leaves a card, and confesses his love while deciding to give her up. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/chapters/xxv) Declares his engagement to Sylvia and his intention to abandon gambling; leads the rescue. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/characters/comte_de_virieu - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chink_in_the_armour_se/characters