# Hortense Daniel — The Eight Strokes of the Clock character guide > Hortense Daniel in The Eight Strokes of the Clock by Maurice Leblanc. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Madame d’Aigleroche, Madame Daniel, Madame d’Imbleval, Madame d’Ormeval **First appearance:** 0001-the-eight-strokes-of-the-clock ## Snapshot Restless and sharp-witted, she plans a scandalous escape from a stifling marriage — then finds herself drawn into stranger mysteries than the one she was running from. ## Who they are Hortense Daniel is bored enough to risk everything: she arranges to run off with the hapless Rossigny rather than keep fighting her uncle and aunt over a squandered dowry. Her nerve and quick tongue make her more than a damsel in distress, and Rénine recognizes a kindred appetite for danger. As his partner in investigation she supplies both the impulse to act and the moral pressure that keeps their inquiries honest. ## Relationships ### [Rossigny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/characters/rossigny) _friendship_ Hortense and Rossigny are allies and friends, with Rossigny often assisting her in various schemes. ### [Germaine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/characters/germaine) _friendship_ Germaine and Hortense are close friends, with Germaine frequently involved in Hortense's personal affairs. ### [Pancaldi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/characters/pancaldi) _psychological_ Hortense is both fascinated and manipulated by Pancaldi, creating a tense psychological dynamic. ### [Jacques Aubrieux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/characters/jacques_aubrieux) _romantic_ Hortense and Jacques Aubrieux share a romantic connection, though it may be complicated by other relationships. ### [Dutreuil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/characters/dutreuil) _rivalry_ Dutreuil is hostile toward Hortense Daniel, often working against her interests. ### [Jean Louis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/characters/jean_louis) _friendship_ Hortense and Jean Louis are friends, with Jean Louis likely providing support or companionship. ### [Rossigny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/characters/rossigny) _friendship_ Hortense and Rossigny are allies and friends, with Rossigny often assisting her in various schemes. ### [Pancaldi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/characters/pancaldi) _psychological_ Hortense is both fascinated and manipulated by Pancaldi, creating a tense psychological dynamic. ### [Dutreuil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/characters/dutreuil) _rivalry_ Dutreuil is hostile toward Hortense Daniel, often working against her interests. ### [Jacques Aubrieux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/characters/jacques_aubrieux) _romantic_ Hortense and Jacques Aubrieux share a romantic connection, though it may be complicated by other relationships. ### [Germaine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/characters/germaine) _friendship_ Germaine and Hortense are close friends, with Germaine frequently involved in Hortense's personal affairs. ### [Dutreuil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/characters/dutreuil) _rivalry_ Dutreuil is hostile toward Hortense Daniel, often working against her interests. ## In the story ### [The Eight Strokes of the Clock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/chapters/the-eight-strokes-of-the-clock) Key companion or partner in the unfolding mysteries. ### [I: On the Top of the Tower](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/chapters/i-on-the-top-of-the-tower) Receives the signed deed from her uncle, agrees to become Rénine's companion in adventures, and is curious about the Halingre mystery. ### [The Water-Bottle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/chapters/ii-the-water-bottle) Meets Rénine in the Bois; accompanies him to the Aubrieux home and comforts Madeleine. ### [The Case of Jean Louis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/chapters/iii-the-case-of-jean-louis) Brings Geneviève to Rénine and accompanies him to the Manoir d'Elseven to investigate. ### [IV: The Telltale Film](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/chapters/iv-the-telltale-film) Accompanies Rénine to the cinema, comforts Rose Andrée, and feels both dread and attraction toward Rénine. ### [V: Thérèse and Germaine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/chapters/v-th-r-se-and-germaine) Accompanies Rénine, comforts Thérèse, and expresses disbelief at the accusations. ### [The Lady with the Hatchet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/chapters/vi-the-lady-with-the-hatchet) Abducted on October 18, the seventh victim of the Lady with the Hatchet; her disappearance drives Rénine's investigation. ### [Footprints in the Snow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/chapters/vii-footprints-in-the-snow) Writes to Rénine from La Roncière, describing her recovery and the de Gorne family encounter at the inn. ### [At the Sign of Mercury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/chapters/viii-at-the-sign-of-mercury) Observes Rénine's success, reflects on the adventures, and ultimately accepts her love for him as the clock strikes eight. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/characters/hortense_daniel - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_eight_strokes_of_the_clock_se/characters