The owner of the La Huchette estate, he is 34 years old, a bachelor, and a wealthy heir. He is highly experienced in initiating relationships with women. He senses the void in Emma's marriage and considers seducing her a form of hunt. At first, he finds Emma's eccentricity and beauty attractive; he plays the role of a passionate lover for her. However, faced with Emma's dramatic demands, escape plans, and increasing attention, he realizes that his freedom is in jeopardy and that this affair is too 'troublesome,' so he abandons Emma with a heartless letter.
For many years, he has flirted with various actresses, peasant women, and bourgeois women. Thanks to his money, he has lived as he pleased and always avoided responsibility.
He has a striking physique and presents an aristocratic/provincial mix in his dress; for instance, with his thick boots, yellow gloves, and the dirt between his fingernails, he has a slightly rough aesthetic that reflects power rather than ostentation.
Emma Bovary
He views her first as a delightful adventure, and later as a leech that clings to him.