# Gaston de Gandelu — The Slaves of Paris character guide > Gaston de Gandelu in The Slaves of Paris by Émile Gaboriau. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Gandelu, M. Gandelu, young Gandelu, Gaston **First appearance:** 0000-part-i-caught-in-the-net ## Snapshot A young man of a family sliding into ruin, caught between a lucrative commission and a more prestigious one. ## Who they are 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. ## Relationships ### [André](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/characters/andre) _friendship_ André and Gaston are close friends and allies, supporting each other through romantic and social challenges. ### [André](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/characters/andre) _friendship_ André and Gaston are close friends and allies, supporting each other through romantic and social challenges. ### [André](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/characters/andre) _friendship_ André and Gaston are close friends and allies, supporting each other through romantic and social challenges. ## In the story ### [IX: Rose's Promotion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/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”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/xi-the-man-milliner) Bursts into Van Klopen's establishment in a rage, accompanied by Zora Chantemille. ### [XVIII: An Infamous Trade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/xxiii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/xxv-a-new-skin) Mentioned indirectly as De Croisenois, the intended husband for Sabine in Tantaine's scheme. ### [A Melancholy Masher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/xxi-a-melancholy-masher) Distraught over his father's actions and Zora's imprisonment; mentions forgery and a challenge to Catenac. ### [A Gentleman in Difficulties](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/xxii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/xxii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/xxiv-the-vanishing-bills) Anxious about his bills; initially naive but becomes terrified of the threat of forgery charges. ### [The Tempter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/xxviii-the-tempter) Briefly seen leaving the building with his father as Tantaine watches. ### [XXX: The Veiled Portrait](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/xxx-the-veiled-portrait) André connects Gaston's troubles with the same criminal network that threatens him. ### [Gaston's Dilemma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/xxxi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/xxxii-m-lecoq) Saved by André from suicide after being forced into forgery; sent to Belgium for safety. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/characters/gaston_de_gandelu - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/characters