# Diogenes — The Laughing Cavalier character guide > Diogenes in The Laughing Cavalier by Baroness Orczy. **Role:** major **Also known as:** the Lame Cow, O handsome Diogenes, knave Diogenes **First appearance:** 0001-the-laughing-cavalier ## Snapshot A swaggering soldier of fortune whose laughing face Frans Hals immortalized on canvas, bowing to no will but his own. ## Who they are Nameless yet nobly browed, Diogenes haunts the taverns of Haarlem as a mercenary who takes life as he finds it and leavens it with his own gaiety. He boasts a father who rode in Leicester's train, and that hint of hidden birth sits oddly beside his reckless disregard for sobriety and respectability. Hired for a shady abduction, he finds his easy humour and independence tested by a captive who refuses to cower, and the tension between his roguery and his unexpected chivalry propels the story forward. ## Relationships ### [Sir Percy Blakeney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/sir_percy_blakeney) _friendship_ Diogenes and Sir Percy are allies and friends, sharing a sense of adventure and mutual respect despite their different backgrounds. ### [Gilda Beresteyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/gilda_beresteyn) _romantic_ Diogenes and Gilda share a growing romantic tension, marked by attraction and conflict due to their opposing loyalties. ### [Willem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/willem) _friendship_ Diogenes and Willem are friends and occasional co-conspirators, bound by a sense of honor and adventure. ### [Nicolaes Beresteyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/nicolaes_beresteyn) _rivalry_ Diogenes and Nicolaes are antagonists, clashing over Gilda's affections and political allegiances. ### [Frans Hals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/frans_hals) _friendship_ Diogenes and Frans Hals are friends, with Frans often providing a sympathetic ear and practical help to Diogenes. ### [Pythagoras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/pythagoras) _friendship_ Diogenes and Pythagoras are close companions and fellow adventurers, sharing a loyal and humorous bond. ### [Mynheer Ben Isaje](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/mynheer_ben_isaje) _rivalry_ Diogenes and Mynheer Ben Isaje are adversaries, with Ben Isaje often opposing Diogenes's actions. ### [Maria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/maria) _social_ Diogenes and Maria are acquaintances, with Maria likely being a servant or family member in the Beresteyn household. ### [Sir Percy Blakeney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/sir_percy_blakeney) _friendship_ Diogenes and Sir Percy are allies and friends, sharing a sense of adventure and mutual respect despite their different backgrounds. ### [Frans Hals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/frans_hals) _friendship_ Diogenes and Frans Hals are friends, with Frans often providing a sympathetic ear and practical help to Diogenes. ### [Gilda Beresteyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/gilda_beresteyn) _romantic_ Diogenes and Gilda share a growing romantic tension, marked by attraction and conflict due to their opposing loyalties. ### [Willem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/willem) _friendship_ Diogenes and Willem are friends and occasional co-conspirators, bound by a sense of honor and adventure. ## In the story ### [An Apology](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/an-apology) The Laughing Cavalier, whose portrait by Frans Hals is the subject of the monograph; he is identified as the direct ancestor of Sir Percy Blakeney. ### [The Laughing Cavalier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/the-laughing-cavalier) Introduced as the Laughing Cavalier, a roguish and charismatic figure. ### [I: New Year’s Eve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/i-new-year-s-eve) Leader of the three philosophers; tall, broad, and quick to investigate the fracas by the postern gate. ### [II: The Fracas by the Postern Gate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/ii-the-fracas-by-the-postern-gate) Leads the intervention against the mob, using wit and a torch to disperse the crowd. ### [III: An Interlude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/iii-an-interlude) Carries wounded Socrates, speaks gallantly to the lady but refuses her offer of help, prioritizing their thirst and journey to the Lame Cow. ### [Watch-Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/iv-watch-night) Mentioned in Gilda's thoughts as the knavish malapert who imprinted a kiss on her hand and then refused her offer. ### [Three Philosophers and Their Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/vii-three-philosophers-and-their-friends) Leads his companions out of the Lame Cow with swagger, engages in a philosophical debate about independence, and declares his intention to be free from patronage for twenty-four hours. ### [VIII: The Lodgings Which Were Paid For](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/viii-the-lodgings-which-were-paid-for) Gives up his lodgings to the rescued woman and her father, plans to stay with Frans Hals, and boasts of his portrait being painted as a Laughing Cavalier. ### [IX: The Painter of Pictures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/ix-the-painter-of-pictures) Spends a cold night after giving up his bed, then goes to Frans Hals's studio for breakfast and to pose for a painting. ### [X: The Laughing Cavalier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/x-the-laughing-cavalier) Posing for Frans Hals's portrait; engages in private conversation with Nicolaes Beresteyn about a conspiracy. ### [XI: The Bargain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xi-the-bargain) Accepts the bargain to abduct Gilda Beresteyn for 4,000 guilders, negotiates terms, and demands an advance of 500 guilders. ### [The Portrait](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xii-the-portrait) Views Gilda's portrait, recognizes her from the previous night, and struggles with his role as a hired rogue. ### [XIII: The Spanish Wench](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xiii-the-spanish-wench) Plans the journey and recruits the Spanish wench to help waylay Gilda. ### [XVI: Leyden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xvi-leyden) Arranges lodging in Leyden, carries Gilda, and shows pity for her plight despite her contempt. ### [An Understanding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xvii-an-understanding) Reveals his orders to take Gilda to Rotterdam, realizes Stoutenburg's conspiracy, and remains unmoved by her pleas, bound by his word of honor. ### [The Start](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xviii-the-start) Departs alone at night, skates toward Haarlem to redeem a promise to Frans Hals; reflects on his encounter with Gilda. ### [In the Kingdom of the Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xix-in-the-kingdom-of-the-night) The solitary skater racing the moon across the ice, exulting in the night but ultimately trapped by darkness. ### [Back Again in Haarlem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xx-back-again-in-haarlem) Returns to Haarlem after a night of waiting, poses for Frans Hals, and feigns ignorance about Gilda's abduction while secretly pleased that suspicion has fallen on the sea-wolves. ### [A Grief-Stricken Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxi-a-grief-stricken-father) Swaggers into the Lame Cow with Frans Hals, eats and drinks heartily using Nicolaes' money, and audaciously toasts the Beresteyn family, angering Nicolaes. ### [A Double Pledge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxii-a-double-pledge) Accepts the mission to rescue Gilda with imperturbable calm, refuses advance payment, and later laughs uncontrollably at the situation. ### [XXIII: A Spy from the Camp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxiii-a-spy-from-the-camp) Referred to as the knave who abducted Gilda; Stoutenburg and Beresteyn suspect he has hidden her for ransom. ### [The Birth of Hate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxiv-the-birth-of-hate) Intervenes to protect the Spanish girl from Stoutenburg; reveals he knows Stoutenburg's identity and spares him. ### [XXV: An Arrant Knave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxv-an-arrant-knave) Referenced as the 'arrant knave' whom Stoutenburg and Beresteyn plot to capture; he is to be kept alive and tracked by Jan. ### [Back to Houdekerk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxvi-back-to-houdekerk) Returns to the mill after his journey, exhausted and preoccupied with the problem of how to fulfill his pledge to Nicolaes without betraying Gilda. ### [Thence to Rotterdam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxvii-thence-to-rotterdam) Arranges the journey, rides behind the sledge, and later forces entry into Ben Isaje's house in Rotterdam. ### [Check](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxviii-check) Delivers Beresteyn's letter to Ben Isaje, plans to rescue Gilda, but faces obstacles from the Jew's guards. ### [Check Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxix-check-again) Escorts Gilda, humorously carries Maria, and attempts to collect payment from Ben Isaje, but agrees to wait until morning. ### [A Nocturne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxx-a-nocturne) Kneels before Gilda in a moment of chivalry, then resists her pleas and money, insisting on knowing her secret purpose. ### [The Captive Lion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-captive-lion) Captured and tied to a beam in the basement, remains defiant and ironic, taunting Stoutenburg despite his helpless position. ### [XXXIV: Protestations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxxiv-protestations) The foreign mercenary held prisoner by Stoutenburg; he is to be brought before Gilda for questioning. ### [The Witness for the Defence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxxv-the-witness-for-the-defence) Brought before Gilda as a prisoner, wounded but maintaining a mocking and philosophical demeanor; confesses to the abduction to vindicate Stoutenburg and Nicolaes. ### [XXXVI: Brother Philosophers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxxvi-brother-philosophers) Bound to a beam, wounded and awaiting execution, but maintains a cheerful demeanor, earning the nickname 'The Laughing Cavalier'. ### [Dawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxxvii-dawn) Awake and watching the gibbet being prepared; faces death with a lazy, good-humored smile, musing on his unspoken love for Gilda. ### [The Hour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-hour) The condemned philosopher, facing death with humor and dignity, sends a final message to Frans Hals. ### [XXXIX: “Sauve Qui Peut”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xxxix-sauve-qui-peut) The prisoner, bound and guarded, laughs at the chaos and remains triumphant despite his predicament. ### [XL: The Loser Pays](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xl-the-loser-pays) Mentioned as the prisoner whom Stoutenburg has condemned to hang, believed to have warned the Prince of Orange. ### [XLII: The Fight in the Doorway](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xlii-the-fight-in-the-doorway) Confronts and disarms Stoutenburg, spares his life for Gilda's sake, and locks Beresteyn inside the hut. ### [XLIII: Leyden Once More](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xliii-leyden-once-more) Diogenes is overheard in conversation with Cornelius Beresteyn, refusing a fortune and asserting his desire to remain a free, penniless soldier of fortune. He plans to leave at daybreak. ### [XLIV: Blake of Blakeney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xliv-blake-of-blakeney) Reveals his father is Blake of Blakeney, refuses Cornelius Beresteyn's offer to seek him out, and speaks of his mother's death and his father's abandonment. ### [The End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xlv-the-end) Sits in the tapperij, lost in melancholy, then is summoned to Gilda's room where he declares his love. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters/diogenes - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/characters