Colonel Chabert by Honoré de Balzac. Short summary

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The Count, who everyone thought was dead, returns home from the war. He cannot prove his identity as he has been declared dead. His widow remarries and inherits his entire fortune.

1 minute

Count Schaber was severely wounded at the battle of Preisisch-Eylau. He was taken for dead and buried. The man manages to escape from the grave, after which he is picked up and nursed by peasants.

Count Chabert is officially pronounced dead. Returning to Paris, the man cannot prove his identity. His widow has married another count, and had children by him. With the help of her former spouse’s fortune, she manages to occupy a good place in society. The woman refuses to acknowledge Schaber’s return, since he had no money for the lawsuit and could not recover his rights.

Schaber contacts attorney Deerville, who tells him that the process will be lengthy and advises him to find his ex-wife. In searching for her, Schaber obtains compromising information. Using them, he gets a life annuity. The ex-wife presses the Count’s pity, and he signs the contract, renouncing his name. Later, the man is tried for vagrancy, and on conviction he is exiled to a nursing home.