The Slaves of Paris · Character

Dr. Hortebise

A celebrated physician whose genial bedside manner and Epicurean charm conceal a mind of thoroughgoing cynicism and a catalogue of appalling vices.

supporting

Also known as Hortebise, the genial Dr. Hortebise, Doctor Hortebise

First appearance: The Opinion of Dr. Hortebise

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

A key player in the conspiracy, using his position to further the plot.

In the storyPart I: Caught in the NetOpen this moment free

See Dr. Hortebise in Part I: Caught in the Net Book page

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Hortebise moves easily through the best society, laughing at the very schemes he profits from, and answers Mascarin's warnings by flashing a gold locket he keeps for some later use. Twenty-five years of shared secrets bind him to the association, yet his levity unsettles even his oldest partner. His medical respectability is the respectable face of a conspiracy that needs exactly that kind of cover.

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

See Dr. Hortebise in The Opinion of Dr. Hortebise

Character Web

45 connections

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

Relationship types

Professional
Psychological
Other

Character groups

Central criminal network
Minor background figures
Mysterious aliases

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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…

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Relationships

Baptiste Mascarin
professional · ambivalent
Paul Violaine
psychological · negative
Viscountess de Bois Arden
professional · ambivalent
Paul Violaine
psychological · negative
Baptiste Mascarin
professional · ambivalent
Baptiste Mascarin
professional · ambivalent
Viscountess de Bois Arden
professional · ambivalent
Viscountess de Bois Arden
professional · ambivalent
Paul Violaine
psychological · negative

Baptiste Mascarin
Mascarin and Dr. Hortebise are co-conspirators in a criminal enterprise, using Hortebise's medical position for fraud.
Paul Violaine
Dr. Hortebise manipulates Paul Violaine as a tool in his schemes, feigning friendship while exploiting him.
Viscountess de Bois Arden
Dr. Hortebise has a professional relationship with the Viscountess, likely involving medical care and manipulation.
Paul Violaine
Dr. Hortebise manipulates Paul Violaine as a tool in his schemes, feigning friendship while exploiting him.
Baptiste Mascarin
Mascarin and Dr. Hortebise are co-conspirators in a criminal enterprise, using Hortebise's medical position for fraud.
Baptiste Mascarin
Mascarin and Dr. Hortebise are co-conspirators in a criminal enterprise, using Hortebise's medical position for fraud.
Viscountess de Bois Arden
Dr. Hortebise has a professional relationship with the Viscountess, likely involving medical care and manipulation.
Viscountess de Bois Arden
Dr. Hortebise has a professional relationship with the Viscountess, likely involving medical care and manipulation.
Paul Violaine
Dr. Hortebise manipulates Paul Violaine as a tool in his schemes, feigning friendship while exploiting him.

Relationship notes

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

See Dr. Hortebise in The Opinion of Dr. Hortebise

In the story

Dr. Hortebise appears across 17 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Part I: Caught in the Net
A key player in the conspiracy, using his position to further the plot.
The Opinion of Dr. Hortebise
Expresses reservations about Paul Violaine, warns of dangers from Rose and the mysterious protector, and recoils at Mascarin's suggestion of using smallpox.
A Trustworthy Servant
Confederate of Mascarin; agrees to approach the Countess to promote the Marquis de Croisenois while Mascarin pressures the Count to break Sabine's engagement.
VI: A Medical Advisor
Visits the Countess de Mussidan as part of Mascarin's scheme; manipulates her into agreeing to Sabine's marriage to Henry de Croisenois.
XIII: Husband and Wife
Mentioned as having tasked the Countess with influencing the marriage situation.
Father and Daughter
Accompanies Paul to the Rigal dinner and watches the young couple with the banker. He discusses Mascarin's plans and the upcoming meeting with Catenac and Croisenois.
A Turn of the Screw
Arrives early, notices Beaumarchef's negligence, and engages in a tense argument with Catenac over the new scheme.
Some Scraps of Paper
Present at the meeting, initially alarmed by Mascarin's frankness, but resigns himself to the discussion.
XVIII: An Infamous Trade
Present during the discussion; laughs at Paul's cynicism and supports Mascarin's plan.
An Academy of Music
Obeys Mascarin's orders to keep Paul under constant surveillance; hosts Paul for dinner and overnight.
XXV: A New Skin
Advises abandoning the risky plan but reluctantly agrees to follow Tantaine; carries a poison pill as a last resort.
The Last Link
Reports that the Countess de Mussidan has agreed to the marriage; present during the cipher revelation.
XIX: Mascarin Speaks
Hortebise reacts with alarm when the name of M. Lecoq is mentioned, threatening to withdraw from the scheme.
A Sudden Check
Assists Mascarin; explains the process of creating a false scar using chloroform and a special liquid.
The Tempter
Attends to Paul's wound and tries to silence Paul's indiscreet comments about Flavia.
The Tafila Copper Mines, Limited
Attempts to calm Tantaine and warns Flavia about compromising her reputation; is shocked by Tantaine's murder plot.
The Day of Reckoning
Hortebise is reassured by Mascarin about the success of their schemes, though he remains uneasy about the Mussidans and the delayed marriage.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Dr. Hortebise in The Opinion of Dr. Hortebise

See Dr. Hortebise in Part I: Caught in the Net