# Laurence Courtois — The Mystery of Orcival character guide

> Laurence Courtois in The Mystery of Orcival by Émile Gaboriau.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mademoiselle Laurence, Mademoiselle Courtois, Laurence

**First appearance:** 0001-ii

## Snapshot

A young woman whose love for Hector costs her home, name, and honor, leaving her hidden in a strange house and mourning a life broken at twenty.

## Who they are

Laurence is the daughter of a respected Orcival family who is drawn into the Trémorels' orbit and then used as a pawn in Sauvresy's scheme of retribution. Pregnant, disgraced, and living under a false name, she is the human cost of the men and women who arranged her ruin for their own purposes. When Lecoq and Plantat finally find her, her grief and her loyalty to Hector become the emotional test of how far the investigation is willing to go.

## Relationships

### [M. Lecoq](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_orcival_se/characters/m_lecoq)

_friendship_

Laurence trusts and cooperates with Lecoq, forming an alliance to uncover the truth.

### [M. Lecoq](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_orcival_se/characters/m_lecoq)

_friendship_

Laurence trusts and cooperates with Lecoq, forming an alliance to uncover the truth.

### [M. Lecoq](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_orcival_se/characters/m_lecoq)

_friendship_

Laurence trusts and cooperates with Lecoq, forming an alliance to uncover the truth.

## In the story

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_orcival_se/chapters/ix)

Her letter and disappearance are central to the discussion; her father mourns her presumed death.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_orcival_se/chapters/xvi)

The object of Hector's courtship; her father believes she will accept Hector's proposal.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_orcival_se/chapters/xviii)

Mentioned as the object of Hector's mercenary marriage plans; Hector claims he does not love her.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_orcival_se/chapters/xix)

Laurence is mentioned as the object of Hector's persistent romantic ambitions, despite the ongoing crime.

### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_orcival_se/chapters/xxi)

Discussed as an innocent victim of Sauvresy's revenge and Hector's manipulation; her letter is revealed to be a forgery dictated by Hector.

### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_orcival_se/chapters/xxiv)

The innocent victim whose reputation Plantat fears will be destroyed if Trémorel is brought to trial.

### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_orcival_se/chapters/xxvi)

Lecoq plans to speak with her alone in the house without Trémorel's knowledge.

### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_orcival_se/chapters/xxvii)

Living under the name Mme. Wilson, she is confronted by Lecoq and Plantat, learns of Hector's murders, shoots Hector, and is saved from suicide by Lecoq.

### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_orcival_se/chapters/xxviii)

Marries M. Plantat and sends a gracious letter and deed to M. Lecoq.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_orcival_se/characters/laurence_courtois
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_orcival_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_orcival_se/characters