Napoleon's older brother. He visits Marseille with Napoleon, quickly attracts Désirée's sister Julie, and later resides in Rome with the Clary sisters and Julie.
The plot provides indirect political proximity rather than a sustained personal relationship.
Bernadotte becomes connected to the Bonaparte political world through Napoleon's council and the later struggle involving Napoleon's family.
Their immediate attraction establishes the parallel romance between the Bonaparte and Clary families.
During the Bonaparte brothers' visit to Marseille, Julie and Joseph are immediately attracted to each other.
They are brothers whose early fortunes and social advancement are closely connected.
The plot identifies Joseph as Napoleon's brother, and the two visit the Clary family together in Marseille.
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