The Slaves of Paris · Character

Gaston de Gandelu

A young man of a family sliding into ruin, caught between a lucrative commission and a more prestigious one.

supporting

Also known as Gandelu, M. Gandelu, young Gandelu, Gaston

First appearance: part i caught in the net

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

Gaston moves through a world of studios, collectors, and speculators, where a single commission can make or break a reputation. When Prince Crescenzi offers six thousand francs for a painting and Jean Lamou dangles the decoration of a palatial edifice, he must choose between money and credit — a choice that exposes how precarious his family's fortunes have become. His entanglement with the Gandelu name draws him into the orbit of men who prey on such desperation.

See Gaston de Gandelu in part i caught in the net Book page

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Character Web

37 connections

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

Relationship types

Friendship
Other

Character groups

Central criminal network
Minor background figures
Mysterious aliases

+32 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…

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Relationships

André
friendship · positive
André and Gaston are close friends and allies, supporting each other through romantic and… How this plays out →
André
friendship · positive
André and Gaston are close friends and allies, supporting each other through romantic and… How this plays out →
André
friendship · positive
André and Gaston are close friends and allies, supporting each other through romantic and… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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

See Gaston de Gandelu in part i caught in the net

In the story

Gaston de Gandelu appears across 15 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

IX: Rose's Promotion
Son of the speculator M. Gandelu; boasts about his wealth and his role in setting up Rose in style.
X: “You Are a Thief”
Mentioned as the young man who has set up a new establishment with Zora Chantemille, and whose cook is on Mascarin's list.
The Man-Milliner
Bursts into Van Klopen's establishment in a rage, accompanied by Zora Chantemille.
XVIII: An Infamous Trade
Listens to Mascarin's story and is shocked to learn his own past card-cheating is known; he is recruited as chairman of the sham company.
Father and Son
The son of M. Gandelu, involved with a woman named Zora; confronts his father and is locked in his room.
XXV: A New Skin
Mentioned indirectly as De Croisenois, the intended husband for Sabine in Tantaine's scheme.
A Melancholy Masher
Distraught over his father's actions and Zora's imprisonment; mentions forgery and a challenge to Catenac.
A Gentleman in Difficulties
Ruined and infatuated with Rose; he is desperate and agrees to hand over forged bills to André in exchange for money.
A Gentleman in Difficulties
M. Gandelu, the broken-hearted father, offers André 20,000 francs and asks him to negotiate with his son.
XXIII: Ringing the Changes
Brings André to Verminet's office; reveals he was tricked into forging a signature; anxious about the bills.
The Vanishing Bills
Anxious about his bills; initially naive but becomes terrified of the threat of forgery charges.
The Tempter
Briefly seen leaving the building with his father as Tantaine watches.
XXX: The Veiled Portrait
André connects Gaston's troubles with the same criminal network that threatens him.
Gaston's Dilemma
André's friend who has reconciled with Zora; he brings her to the studio and later reveals that Henri de Croisenois has started a copper mining company.
XXXII: M. Lecoq
Saved by André from suicide after being forced into forgery; sent to Belgium for safety.

Chapter companion notes

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See Gaston de Gandelu in part i caught in the net