The Slaves of Paris · Character

Catenac

A lawyer whose honest face is his most profitable asset, Catenac mediates between criminals who dare not meet in open court.

supporting

Also known as M. Catenac, XX

First appearance: part i caught in the net

As a supporting figure in The Slaves of Paris, Catenac is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Refuses to participate in the new risky scheme, citing his wealth and desire to avoid danger, but is confronted with evidence that Mascarin knows his true financial standing.

In the storyA Turn of the ScrewOpen this moment free

See Catenac in A Turn of the Screw Book page

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Catenac earns thirty thousand francs a year not by pleading but by making scandals quietly disappear — settling disputes between murderers quarreling over booty, hearing confessions in his Rue Jacob office that would bring down the roof. Nature or dissimulation has given him the face of a trustworthy man, and he trades on it. When Mascarin and Hortebise summon him to join their great plan, his genial smile never falters, though he is already calculating how to escape the room.

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

See Catenac in part i caught in the net

Character Web

39 connections

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

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Central criminal network
Minor background figures
Noble family connections

+34 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

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it reveals the psychological peak of M. de Puymandour’s delusio…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Baptiste Mascarin
professional · ambivalent
Mascarin and Catenac are criminal partners, collaborating in a network of fraud and… How this plays out →
Baptiste Mascarin
professional · ambivalent
Mascarin and Catenac are criminal partners, collaborating in a network of fraud and… How this plays out →
Baptiste Mascarin
professional · ambivalent
Mascarin and Catenac are criminal partners, collaborating in a network of fraud and… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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

See Catenac in part i caught in the net

In the story

Catenac appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

A Turn of the Screw
Refuses to participate in the new risky scheme, citing his wealth and desire to avoid danger, but is confronted with evidence that Mascarin knows his true financial standing.
Some Scraps of Paper
A lawyer and associate, protests Mascarin's openness but is overruled.
XVIII: An Infamous Trade
The lawyer who will draw up the prospectus and articles of association for the fraudulent company.
Father and Son
M. Gandelu's lawyer; advised Gandelu on legal steps against Zora.
The Last Link
Accused of treachery for withholding the scar clue; threatened by Mascarin with ruin.
XIX: Mascarin Speaks
Catenac, the Duke's lawyer, is confronted by Mascarin for withholding information and eventually agrees to cooperate.
A Sudden Check
Conceals anger and jealousy while questioning Mascarin's plan; notes details and challenges the deception.
A Melancholy Masher
Mentioned as the lawyer advising M. Gandelu; Gaston plans to challenge him.
XXX: The Veiled Portrait
Identified as the solicitor who informed on Gaston and advised legal action; linked to the conspiracy.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Catenac unlock in the free preview.

See Catenac in part i caught in the net

See Catenac in A Turn of the Screw