# Count Octave de Mussidan — The Slaves of Paris character guide

> Count Octave de Mussidan in The Slaves of Paris by Émile Gaboriau.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Count de Mussidan, Octave de Mussidan, Octave, the Count de Mussidan

**First appearance:** 0008-viii-mademoiselle-de-mussidan

## Snapshot

A well-made nobleman of fortune and good name who falls hopelessly in love with Diana de Laurebourg and proposes, unaware her heart lies elsewhere.

## Who they are

Octave arrives at Laurebourg with birth, wealth, and charm to spare, and is swept away the moment he sees Diana. He courts her like a true knight, going directly to her with his suit, but she answers him with a strange, measured hesitation and a letter sent secretly to another man. His honest passion becomes the instrument of a woman's escape plan, and his fortune the prize others are already scheming to reach.

## Relationships

### [Baptiste Mascarin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/characters/baptiste_mascarin)

_professional_

Mascarin manipulates Count Octave as a client and victim in his blackmail schemes.

### [Diana de Laurebourg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/characters/diana_de_laurebourg)

_romantic_

Count Octave is infatuated with Diana, who uses his affection to further her own manipulative goals.

### [Baptiste Mascarin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/characters/baptiste_mascarin)

_professional_

Mascarin manipulates Count Octave as a client and victim in his blackmail schemes.

### [Diana de Laurebourg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/characters/diana_de_laurebourg)

_romantic_

Count Octave is infatuated with Diana, who uses his affection to further her own manipulative goals.

### [Baptiste Mascarin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/characters/baptiste_mascarin)

_professional_

Mascarin manipulates Count Octave as a client and victim in his blackmail schemes.

### [Diana de Laurebourg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/characters/diana_de_laurebourg)

_romantic_

Count Octave is infatuated with Diana, who uses his affection to further her own manipulative goals.

## In the story

### [A Trustworthy Servant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/iv-a-trustworthy-servant)

Portrayed as violent, suspicious, and fickle; often absent from home until early morning; has a strained relationship with his wife.

### [A Forgotten Crime](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/v-a-forgotten-crime)

Blackmailed by Mascarin; initially furious but eventually agrees to break off his daughter's engagement to M. de Breulh-Faverlay.

### [XII: A Startling Revelation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/xii-a-startling-revelation)

Sabine's father, suffering from his interview with Mascarin and Dr. Hortebise, though unaware of Sabine's plans.

### [XIII: Husband and Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/xiii-husband-and-wife)

Paces the library in despair, confesses to murder and his wife's infidelity, receives Breulh-Faverlay's letter breaking the engagement.

### [XII: “Rash Word, Rash Deed”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/xii-rash-word-rash-deed)

Falls in love with Diana, proposes, and marries her. Later, in a quarrel, he shoots Montlouis, then conceals the truth out of love for Diana.

### [A Scheme of Vengeance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/xiii-a-scheme-of-vengeance)

Diana's husband, mentioned as jealous and suspicious of Norbert.

### [Mascarin Moves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/xxvi-mascarin-moves)

Learns of his wife's past sins, including her role in the Duke de Champdoce's death and George de Croisenois's disappearance; struggles with shock and despair but ultimately accepts the situation, hoping for a last-minute escape.

### [A Cruel Slur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/xxvii-a-cruel-slur)

Forced to accept humiliating conditions to protect his family's reputation; struggles with rage and despair.

### [XXX: The Veiled Portrait](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/xxx-the-veiled-portrait)

Visits André under the false name 'Marquis de Bevron' to investigate his daughter's portrait; is moved by André's character and promises Sabine's hand if they can escape their enemies.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/characters/count_octave_de_mussidan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/characters