Chevalier de Souveray

Chevalier de Souveray is a minor nobleman of the court of King Louis XIII, mentioned only once in the narrative as part of the king's entourage during the grand ball given by the aldermen of Paris at the Hôtel de Ville. His appearance is purely contextual, serving to fill out the list of distinguished persons who accompanied the king on that occasion, and he plays no further role in the plot.

Identity and Courtly Context

Chevalier de Souveray is listed among the nobles who attended the king when he arrived at the Hôtel de Ville on the night of the famous ball. The king, in full dress, was accompanied by his royal Highness Monsieur, the Comte de Soissons, the Grand Prior, the Duc de Longueville, the Duc d'Euboeuf, the Comte d'Harcourt, the Comte de la Roche-Guyon, M. de Liancourt, M. de Baradas, the Comte de Cramail, and the Chevalier de Souveray. This grouping places Souveray within the circle of courtiers who were present at a key moment of court intrigue, when the king's mood was noted to be dull and preoccupied. His inclusion in this list, without further description or action, marks him as a figure of the court's ceremonial background rather than an active participant in the story's events.

Narrative Role and Significance

Souveray's sole function in the novel is to contribute to the verisimilitude of the court scene. The detailed enumeration of the king's companions—including Souveray—creates a sense of historical authenticity and social hierarchy, showing the formal structure of the royal entourage. He is a flat character in the most literal sense, existing only as a name within a list, and his presence does not influence the plot, the development of other characters, or the thematic concerns of the novel. His mention is a brief, documentary touch that reinforces the period setting without adding dramatic weight.