Who is Hortense Hulot from Cousin Bette: Part One of Poor Relations and what is their importance? La_Cousine_Bette English & Literature Hortense Hulot | Cousin Bette: Part One of Poor Relations

Hortense is the only daughter of Hector and Adeline Hulot. Hortense is beautiful like her mother. Also like her mother, Hortense believes that she will find true love one day. Hortense is in her early 20s, with long, thick blond hair and luminous blue eyes. Her "skin has the lustre [sic] of mother-of-pearl" (31). Hortense's features are fine and she is feminine and genteel. Unlike her mother, though, Hortense is impatient and outspoken. Her independent streak is what enables Hortense to leave Wenceslas at the first sign of trouble with Madame Marneffe. Hortense has a well-defined sense of what is right and wrong in a marriage. To her credit, Hortense does not break her wedding vows to Wenceslas during the three years he spent in the clutches of Madame Marneffe. Hortense represents what is noble and charming about Parisian women. She is loyal to those she loves and protective of their dignity.