Arnaud is a peasant who grows up in a village not very far from Artigat. Arnaud is very social and a lively trickster, coming from a family with many brothers. He gets into all sorts of trouble and to escape he joins the army of the French King, Henri II. When Arnaud returns, he stops near Artigat and is recognized as Martin Guerre. Arnaud carefully pretends to be this Martin, and learns about Martin Guerre and his family. He decides to continue to impersonate Martin Guerre and steal Martin's identity, property and wife, the pretty Bertrande. He has a wonderful memory and he gathers intelligence on the situation for months before he calls for his new "family" to meet him. Arnaud poses as Martin Guerre successfully for over three years, and takes possession of his house and family. The impostor has two daughters with his "wife" Bertrande, one of whom, Bernarde, survives.