# Sophie Gordeloup — The Claverings character guide > Sophie Gordeloup in The Claverings by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Madame Gordeloup, Sophie **First appearance:** 0006-vii-some-scenes-in-the-life-of-a-countess ## Snapshot A French countess who has attached herself to Lady Ongar's London household, half companion, half spy, and wholly impossible to dismiss politely. ## Who they are Sophie Gordeloup shares Lady Ongar's Bolton Street house, a woman who has witnessed Julia's saddest moments and can tell of indignities that would have killed other women. Julia is afraid of her yet cannot bring herself to turn her out, and Sophie's brother the count hovers nearby with his own designs. Her presence matters because she embodies the predatory intimacy that surrounds a rich widow, and her scheming will keep Harry circling Bolton Street when he should be at Onslow Crescent. ## Relationships ### [Julia Brabazon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/julia_brabazon) _psychological_ Sophie is a manipulative confidante to Julia, often exerting a negative influence over her decisions. ### [Harry Clavering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/harry_clavering) _psychological_ Sophie attempts to manipulate Harry, creating a tense and distrustful dynamic. ### [Julia Brabazon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/julia_brabazon) _psychological_ Sophie is a manipulative confidante to Julia, often exerting a negative influence over her decisions. ### [Julia Brabazon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/julia_brabazon) _psychological_ Sophie is a manipulative confidante to Julia, often exerting a negative influence over her decisions. ### [Harry Clavering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/harry_clavering) _psychological_ Sophie attempts to manipulate Harry, creating a tense and distrustful dynamic. ### [Harry Clavering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/harry_clavering) _psychological_ Sophie attempts to manipulate Harry, creating a tense and distrustful dynamic. ## In the story ### [A Visitor Calls at Ongar Park](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xiii-a-visitor-calls-at-ongar-park) Sophie writes to Julia, offering to meet her in London and prepare her house, showing her persistent friendship. ### [Count Pateroff and His Sister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xiv-count-pateroff-and-his-sister) Receives Harry in Mount Street; speaks freely about Lady Ongar's past and future, and offers her friendship to Harry. ### [An Evening in Bolton Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xv-an-evening-in-bolton-street) Seen by Harry in Piccadilly; he avoids her, suspecting she is up to mischief. ### [The Rivals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xvi-the-rivals) Mentioned as part of Julia's odious social circle, whose flatteries Julia despises. ### [Captain Clavering Makes His First Attempt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xviii-captain-clavering-makes-his-first-attempt) Arrives unexpectedly, providing a relief from the awkward conversation. ### [XIX: The Blue Posts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xix-the-blue-posts) Welcomes Harry in her morning dishabille, provides her brother's address, and later disparages Harry in French after he leaves. ### [Yes; Wrong;—Certainly Wrong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxi-yes-wrong-certainly-wrong) Referred to as a 'dragon' by Harry; Julia defends her as a necessary companion. ### [The Russian Spy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxiv-the-russian-spy) Madame Gordeloup is believed by Archie to be a Russian spy; he attempts to bribe her to help him with Julia. ### [XXV: “What Would Men Say of You?”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxv-what-would-men-say-of-you) Extracts information from Archie about Harry's engagement and plans to use it to her advantage. ### [Freshwater Gate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxvii-freshwater-gate) Sophie accompanies Lady Ongar but secretly betrays her by revealing their location to her brother, the Count, while pretending to be a devoted friend. ### [How Damon Parted from Pythias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxix-how-damon-parted-from-pythias) Sophie is accused of betraying Lady Ongar by bringing her brother to Freshwater; she pleads for forgiveness but ultimately quarrels with Lady Ongar and is dismissed. ### [Doodles in Mount Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxx-doodles-in-mount-street) Sophie mocks Doodles during his visit, refuses to help Archie, and writes an anonymous letter to Mrs. Burton accusing Lady Ongar of scheming against Harry and Florence. ### [Captain Clavering Makes His Last Attempt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxxvi-captain-clavering-makes-his-last-attempt) Writes a letter to Lady Ongar urging her to pursue Harry Clavering, though her advice is not heeded. ### [Farewell to Doodles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxxix-farewell-to-doodles) Confronts Sir Hugh, attempting to extort money by threatening to reveal secrets about Lady Ongar. ### [Madame Gordeloup Retires from British Diplomacy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xlvi-madame-gordeloup-retires-from-british-diplomacy) Heartbroken by Lady Ongar's formal letter, she writes a desperate apology and later accepts a £100 gratuity before leaving England forever, expressing bitter hatred for the country. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/sophie_gordeloup - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters