This character is the father and husband of Florville in "Florville and Courval." Courval is a wealthy businessman whose wife has left him and whom he believes is dead. He has lost contact with his son, believing that he has followed his mother into a life of vice, and is unaware that he also has a daughter, who turns out to be Florville. Courval wishes to be married again and have a child to whom he can pass his estate.