Horace by George Sand. Short summary

5 seconds

Oras Dumonte, a mediocrity who knows how to hide it, turns the head of the honest Marthe, then becomes the lover of the viscountess. Paul Arsène saves Marthe, adopting her child. Oras slides to the bottom.

1 minute

Oras Dumonte’s trait was laziness. His parents sent him the last of his money to study law, but the young man preferred to go to the salons. He is flattered by the friendship of Theophile de Monde, a medical student, since he is an aristocrat. He does not understand why Theophile befriends the commoners Eugénie, Jean Laravinière and Paul Arsène, the son of a cobbler.

The latter, a talented artist, works as a waiter in a café to help his family. Martha, Paul’s countrywoman, also works there. The owner of the cafe dishonors Martha and abuses her.

Paul runs off with Martha to Theophile’s house. Oras also meets the girl there. Out of ego, he resolves to take her from Paul.

Horace’s suave manner turns Marthe´s head. He demands that she leave her old friends. While Paul and Théophile take part in the revolution, Horace runs off to the viscountess and becomes her lover. Paul finds Marthe and marries her, recognizing her child as his own.

Horace tries his hand at various activities, but fails in every one. He goes bankrupt.