The Rover · Character

Lieutenant Réal

A French naval officer who climbs trees to spy on English ships and asks old rovers dangerous questions with unsettling politeness.

supporting

Also known as Réal, The absent Réal, Captain Réal

First appearance: ii

As a supporting figure in The Rover, Lieutenant Réal is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Watches the Amelia from the lookout, expresses suspicion about the English ship's activities, and grows impatient with Peyrol's dismissive attitude.

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See Lieutenant Réal in IV Book page

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Réal moves through Escampobar as an officer on confidential business, pressing Peyrol about a vanished gunner and the movements of an English corvette. He is courteous, relentless, and impossible to read — Peyrol finds him more detestable when absent than present. His quiet pursuit of information forces the old rover to choose between guarded silence and the tangle of loyalties closing around him.

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The fuller portrait of Lieutenant Réal sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Lieutenant Réal in ii

Character Web

15 connections

A slice of how Lieutenant Réal sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Romantic
Social
Other

Character groups

Naval and Farm Intrigue
Protagonist

+10 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Arlette’s psychological peak occurs when she consciously rejects the abbé’s condemnation and redefines her pos…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Peyrol
rivalry · ambivalent
A tense, adversarial dynamic where Réal, as a Republican officer, clashes with Peyrol's… How this plays out →
Arlette
romantic · positive
Aunt Catherine
social · ambivalent
Peyrol
rivalry · ambivalent
A tense, adversarial dynamic where Réal, as a Republican officer, clashes with Peyrol's… How this plays out →
Peyrol
rivalry · ambivalent
A tense, adversarial dynamic where Réal, as a Republican officer, clashes with Peyrol's… How this plays out →
Aunt Catherine
social · ambivalent
Aunt Catherine
social · ambivalent
Arlette
romantic · positive

Peyrol
A tense, adversarial dynamic where Réal, as a Republican officer, clashes with Peyrol's royalist past and independent ways, yet they develop a grudging mutual respect.
Arlette
A growing, tender attraction between the traumatized Arlette and the disciplined Réal, offering her a path toward healing and love.
Aunt Catherine
A wary but respectful acquaintance, with Catherine cautiously assessing Réal's intentions toward Arlette and the household.
Peyrol
A tense, adversarial dynamic where Réal, as a Republican officer, clashes with Peyrol's royalist past and independent ways, yet they develop a grudging mutual respect.
Peyrol
A tense, adversarial dynamic where Réal, as a Republican officer, clashes with Peyrol's royalist past and independent ways, yet they develop a grudging mutual respect.
Aunt Catherine
A wary but respectful acquaintance, with Catherine cautiously assessing Réal's intentions toward Arlette and the household.
Aunt Catherine
A wary but respectful acquaintance, with Catherine cautiously assessing Réal's intentions toward Arlette and the household.
Arlette
A growing, tender attraction between the traumatized Arlette and the disciplined Réal, offering her a path toward healing and love.

Relationship notes

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

See Lieutenant Réal in ii

In the story

Lieutenant Réal appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

IV
Watches the Amelia from the lookout, expresses suspicion about the English ship's activities, and grows impatient with Peyrol's dismissive attitude.
VI
Reflects on his past as an orphan and his growing connection to Peyrol; observes the Amelia and discovers a boat was out the previous night.
VII
Present in the salle, his silent presence creates tension and curiosity among the household.
VIII
Presents the secret order and seeks Peyrol's counsel, revealing his trust and the weight of the mission.
The Watch on the Peninsula
Absent from the farm, but his usual presence is noted by Peyrol, who misses him at the bench.
Chapter XI
Réal is absent, having gone to Toulon on service, but his return is expected at midnight.
Chapter XII
Absent from the farm, having gone to Toulon. Scevola believes he is hiding on the tartane, and Peyrol expects his return.
XIV
Struggles with his passion for Arlette, considers suicide, and decides to carry the false dispatches.
XV
Réal is about to sail on his mission, having left a letter for the Secretary-General. He appears detached and resigned.
XVI
At Escampobar, speaks of Peyrol with respect, acknowledging his noble character.

Chapter companion notes

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See Lieutenant Réal in ii

See Lieutenant Réal in IV