This study of the role of perfumes in the fictional narratives about prostitution of the second half of the 19th century unveils a semiology of the character. This sometimes ironic way of incarnating the character through an olfactory representation contributes to the narrative appeal. The perfume associated with the character, in as much as it reveals, puts in motion and appeals to us, is like the lure that draws the reader into the fictional narrative and urges them to proceed to an experiential reading.