Who is Ernestine's Father from The 120 Days of Sodom and Other Writings and what is their importance? 120_Days_of_Sodom English & Literature Ernestine's Father | The 120 Days of Sodom and Other Writings

Ernestine's father is named Colonel Falkenheim in the play "Oxtiern" and Colonel Sanders in the story "Ernestine." He is a man of moderate importance who loves his daughter and would like to see her happily married. In the story version, the Colonel is enticed by Oxtiern's offer to elevate him in rank and secure a lucrative pension for him, implying that the Colonel should give his daughter to the Count in return. He considers this, but tells Ernestine he will not break his promise that she may marry Herman. His character is less developed in the play. In both versions, he seeks to avenge Ernestine's by challenging Oxtiern to a duel, and in both versions he is duped into facing Ernestine herself instead. In the play he is prevented from attacking her by Herman, who stops the duel, but in the story he kills her with a sword. In the story version, he obtains a pardon for Oxtiern and has him freed so that he may face him in a duel. Oxtiern refuses to fight and the Colonel spares his life.