The Trail of the Serpent · Character

Gaston de Lancy

A Frenchman whose disappearance sparks part of the mystery.

minor

Also known as O Gaston de Lancy, Gaston, Monsieur de Lancy

First appearance: book iii holy institution

Gaston de Lancy's tie to Valerie de Cevennes is one of the pressures that moves The Trail of the Serpent—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Valerie's husband, the tenor Elvino; absent due to a supper engagement, allegedly betraying her trust.

In the storyIII: The Wrong FootstepOpen this moment free

See Gaston de Lancy in III: The Wrong Footstep Book page

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With Valerie de Cevennes (romantic): Gaston de Lancy is a suitor to Valerie, creating romantic tension with Raymond Marolles. With Valerie de Cevennes (romantic): Gaston de Lancy is a suitor to Valerie, creating…

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

See Gaston de Lancy in book iii holy institution

Character Web

11 connections

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

Relationship types

Romantic
Other

Character groups

French Mystery Entanglement
Protagonist
Slopperton Crime Circle

+6 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This chapter marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Valerie’s s…

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Relationships

Valerie de Cevennes
romantic · ambivalent
Gaston de Lancy is a suitor to Valerie, creating romantic tension with Raymond Marolles. How this plays out →
Valerie de Cevennes
romantic · ambivalent
Gaston de Lancy is a suitor to Valerie, creating romantic tension with Raymond Marolles. How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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

See Gaston de Lancy in book iii holy institution

In the story

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

III: The Wrong Footstep
Valerie's husband, the tenor Elvino; absent due to a supper engagement, allegedly betraying her trust.
IV: Ocular Demonstration
The tenor; though not physically present in the chapter, he is the subject of the deception, with his voice and manner mimicked to deceive Valerie.
VI: A Glass of Wine
Returns to the pavilion, drinks the drugged wine, and leaves for the opera.
VII: The Last Act of Lucretia Borgia
Opera singer performing Gennaro; collapses and dies on stage during the performance.
Bad Dreams and a Worse Waking
His death by suspected poison is recounted; the opera singer is buried quietly at Rouen and soon forgotten by Paris.
The Count de Marolles at Home
Mentioned implicitly through Valerie's memories and the boy's dark ringlets; not directly present.
VI: Signor Mosquetti Relates an Adventure
Deceased singer mentioned by Mosquetti and an elderly lord; Mosquetti was hired to impersonate him.
IX: Captain Lansdown Overhears a Conversation Which Appears to Interest Him
Valerie's first husband, whom she loved and murdered; his name is invoked as the victim of the plot.
Farewell to England
Revealed to be alive; had been given an opiate by Blurosset and suffered a long fever; now restored to Valerie.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Gaston de Lancy unlock in the free preview.

See Gaston de Lancy in book iii holy institution

See Gaston de Lancy in III: The Wrong Footstep