The Jealousies of a Country Town · Character

Chevalier de Valois

A powdered, earringed relic of the old court, the Chevalier de Valois courts Mlle. Cormon's fortune with the patience of a man who has nothing else left.

major

Also known as Chevalier de Valois, the Chevalier de Valois d'Alençon, The Chevalier de Valois, the Chevalier, M. de Valois, the gallant Chevalier, The Chevalier, the Chevalier de Valois, the ingenious Chevalier, The enchanting Chevalier, le Chevalier, Chevalier, M. le Chevalier de Valois, the sceptical M. de Valois, the Alençon Chevalier, Alençon

First appearance: The Old Maid

As a major figure in The Jealousies of a Country Town, Chevalier de Valois is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

An aging nobleman who represents the old aristocracy and is a suitor for Mlle.

In the storyThe Old MaidOpen this moment free

The Chevalier is Alençon's most polished survivor: a nobleman of threadbare means whose rouge, diamonds, and enormous appetite disguise decades of gallantry and debt. He and du Bousquier circle Mlle. Cormon like rival chess players, each needing her money to prop up a dying cause. His charm is genuine, his motives are not, and his rivalry with the republican banker stages the whole town's quarrel over who will inherit the future.

See Chevalier de Valois in The Old Maid Book page

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Character Web

31 connections

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Relationship types

Romantic
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

d'Esgrignon circle and rivals
Protagonist
Mlle. Cormon's household and suitors

+26 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Breaking point

The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the reader, expecting narrative resolution, is instead confro…

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Relationships

Mlle. Cormon
romantic · ambivalent
The Chevalier de Valois is a persistent suitor to Mlle. How this plays out →
Suzanne
romantic · ambivalent
Du Bousquier
rivalry · negative
Du Bousquier
rivalry · negative
Mlle. Cormon
romantic · ambivalent
The Chevalier de Valois is a persistent suitor to Mlle. How this plays out →
Suzanne
romantic · ambivalent
Suzanne
romantic · ambivalent
Mlle. Cormon
romantic · ambivalent
The Chevalier de Valois is a persistent suitor to Mlle. How this plays out →
Du Bousquier
rivalry · negative

Mlle. Cormon
The Chevalier de Valois is a persistent suitor to Mlle. Cormon, though his advances are more about social standing than genuine affection.
Suzanne
The Chevalier de Valois has a flirtatious and somewhat predatory relationship with the young servant Suzanne.
Du Bousquier
The Chevalier de Valois and Du Bousquier are fierce rivals, competing for influence and Mlle. Cormon's hand.
Du Bousquier
The Chevalier de Valois and Du Bousquier are fierce rivals, competing for influence and Mlle. Cormon's hand.
Mlle. Cormon
The Chevalier de Valois is a persistent suitor to Mlle. Cormon, though his advances are more about social standing than genuine affection.
Suzanne
The Chevalier de Valois has a flirtatious and somewhat predatory relationship with the young servant Suzanne.
Suzanne
The Chevalier de Valois has a flirtatious and somewhat predatory relationship with the young servant Suzanne.
Mlle. Cormon
The Chevalier de Valois is a persistent suitor to Mlle. Cormon, though his advances are more about social standing than genuine affection.
Du Bousquier
The Chevalier de Valois and Du Bousquier are fierce rivals, competing for influence and Mlle. Cormon's hand.

Relationship notes

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

See Chevalier de Valois in The Old Maid

In the story

Chevalier de Valois appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Old Maid
An aging nobleman who represents the old aristocracy and is a suitor for Mlle. Cormon's hand.
The Old Maid
The Chevalier is introduced as a tall, lean, elderly nobleman with fine manners, a habit of dining out and playing cards, and a secret ambition to marry a rich old maid. He is discreet, witty, and has a notable snuffbox with a portrait of Princess Goritza.
The Collection of Antiquities
An elderly nobleman and a key member of the 'Collection of Antiquities,' known for his wit and influence in Alençon society.
The Collection of Antiquities
Witnesses the Duchess's departure and laments the loss of honor; his comment about the Princess Goritza highlights his romantic nostalgia.

Chapter companion notes

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See Chevalier de Valois in The Old Maid