The Secrets of the Princesse de Cadignan by Honoré de Balzac. Short summary

5 seconds

The Duchess de Cadignan decides to win the favor of a writer. She entangles him in a web of lies of a prearranged novel. Having learned the truth, the man continues to believe in the infallibility of the princess.

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Two pals, chatting, tell d’Artez about the love adventures of the Princess de Cadignan. But the latter assures him that he knows much more, as he has heard about her from a deceased friend. Mrs. d’Espar invites the Duchess to dinner, offering to introduce her to the writer d’Arthez, who in her opinion is afraid of women. At the evening, Mrs. de Cadignan, taking advantage of the interval between the two changes, speaks privately with d’Arthez.

She says she has no objection to the writer visiting her from time to time. Rastignac warns his friend by telling him how the Duchess has absorbed and spent the fortune of one notary. The writer regularly visits her mansion. The schemer entangles him in a net of a prearranged cunningly woven affair.

During another evening at Mrs. d’Espar’s, the man learns that the Countess has lied to him. D’Arthez goes to her to clear the air, but the woman declares that she has been lied to. The writer continues to meet with Mrs. de Cadignan.