# Cornelius Beresteyn — The Laughing Cavalier character guide

> Cornelius Beresteyn in The Laughing Cavalier by Baroness Orczy.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mynheer Beresteyn, Cornelius

**First appearance:** 0003-i-new-year-s-eve

## Who they are

A wealthy Haarlem councillor and patron of Frans Hals, whose household is shadowed by the Barneveld conspiracy and whose daughter's fate he guards with sober, anxious care.

## In the story

### [After Evensong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xiv-after-evensong)

Gilda's father, a man of rigid principles; she considers confessing the conspiracy to him.

### [Back Again in Haarlem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xx-back-again-in-haarlem)

Mentioned as the wealthy grain merchant and deputy burgomaster whose daughter was abducted.

### [A Grief-Stricken Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxi-a-grief-stricken-father)

Grief-stricken father, aged by the abduction of his daughter Gilda; sits huddled and tearful at the Lame Cow, urged by friends to attend the council.

### [A Double Pledge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxii-a-double-pledge)

Grief-stricken father who offers a fortune for his daughter's rescue; softened by grief, he shows unexpected graciousness to Frans Hals.

### [XLIII: Leyden Once More](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xliii-leyden-once-more)

Cornelius is present in the taproom below, speaking with Diogenes. He offers Diogenes money, which is refused, and asks to shake his hand before they part.

### [XLIV: Blake of Blakeney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xliv-blake-of-blakeney)

Offers to find Diogenes' father, learns of Diogenes' parentage, and later listens to Gilda's confession about her feelings for Diogenes.

### [The End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xlv-the-end)

Summons Diogenes, then quietly leaves the couple alone before returning to bless their union.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/cornelius_beresteyn
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters