# M. de Croisenois — The Red and the Black character guide > M. de Croisenois in The Red and the Black by Stendhal. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** de Croisenois, Croisenois, the Croisenois, M. Croisenois, poor Croisenois **First appearance:** 0034-chapter-xxxiv-the-h-tel-de-la-mole ## Snapshot The polished young marquis everyone expects Mathilde de la Mole to marry, he embodies the elegant, riskless courage she finds increasingly hollow. ## Who they are Croisenois belongs to the gilded circle of Caylus, de Luz, and de la Mole heirs whose manners are flawless and whose souls Mathilde suspects of being empty. He is her sanctioned suitor, which makes him both a rival to Julien and a mirror held up to an aristocracy that has traded hazard for epigrams. His very perfection sharpens Mathilde's contempt for a class that duels by rulebook and dies by etiquette, and it raises the stakes of her dangerous attraction to a peasant's son. ## Relationships ### [Mathilde de la Mole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/mathilde_de_la_mole) _romantic_ A suitor of noble birth, engaged to Mathilde but ultimately rejected in favor of Julien. ### [Julien Sorel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/julien_sorel) _rivalry_ Competitors for Mathilde's hand, with Croisenois representing the aristocratic establishment Julien despises. ### [Mathilde de la Mole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/mathilde_de_la_mole) _romantic_ A suitor of noble birth, engaged to Mathilde but ultimately rejected in favor of Julien. ### [Julien Sorel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/julien_sorel) _rivalry_ Competitors for Mathilde's hand, with Croisenois representing the aristocratic establishment Julien despises. ### [Mathilde de la Mole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/mathilde_de_la_mole) _romantic_ A suitor of noble birth, engaged to Mathilde but ultimately rejected in favor of Julien. ### [Julien Sorel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/julien_sorel) _rivalry_ Competitors for Mathilde's hand, with Croisenois representing the aristocratic establishment Julien despises. ## In the story ### [Chapter XXXVIII. What Is The Decoration Which Confers Distinction?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxxviii-what-is-the-decoration-which-confers-distinction) A suitor of Mathilde, he tries to approach her at the ball but is dismissed by her as flat and boring. ### [Chapter XLI. A Young Girl’s Dominion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xli-a-young-girl-s-dominion) One of Mathilde's suitors, whose prudent return of a letter leads to her coldness. ### [Chapter XLII. Is He A Danton?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xlii-is-he-a-danton) One of the young nobles who criticizes Julien and is provoked by Mathilde's praise of him. ### [Chapter XLIII. A Plot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xliii-a-plot) The young nobleman who is the target of Mathilde's jests, and whom Julien sees as a rival. ### [Chapter XLIV. A Young Girl’s Thoughts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xliv-a-young-girl-s-thoughts) Mentioned as a suitor whose potential marriage to Mathilde would be broken off if her letters were discovered. ### [Chapter XLV. Is It A Plot?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xlv-is-it-a-plot) Julien thinks of Croisenois as a rival, a charming young man of noble birth and fortune, whom he might triumph over if he succeeds. ### [Chapter XLVII. An Old Sword](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xlvii-an-old-sword) Mentioned as a rival; Julien feels like embracing him in his misery. ### [Chapter XLVIII. Cruel Moments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xlviii-cruel-moments) Referenced as another of Mathilde's past suitors, contributing to Julien's anguish. ### [Chapter L. The Japanese Vase](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-l-the-japanese-vase) Present in the salon, one of Mathilde's suitors, and a target of Julien's critical observations. ### [Chapter LVI. Moral Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lvi-moral-love) Appears overwhelmed by Mathilde's new caprice, his palpable grief providing some solace to Julien. ### [Chapter LVIII. Manon Lescaut](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lviii-manon-lescaut) Mathilde's intended; he calls twice a day at the Hôtel de la Mole, fueling Julien's jealousy. ### [Chapter LXII. The Tiger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxii-the-tiger) Mentioned as one of the suitors Mathilde previously considered, but now treats with polite but provocative disdain. ### [Chapter LXVIII. A Powerful Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxviii-a-powerful-man) Mentioned by Julien as the man he intends for Mathilde to marry after his death. ### [The Intrigue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxix-the-intrigue) Julien advises Mathilde to marry him after his death, suggesting his name and her fortune would ensure his success. ### [CHAPTER LXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxxv) Dies in a duel with M. de Thaler after defending Mathilde's honor, an event that affects Julien deeply. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/m_de_croisenois - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters