The Ball At Sceaux

The Ball At Sceaux is a novella written by the renowned French author Honore De Balzac. The story is set in the countryside outside Paris, at the estate of the wealthy and well-connected M. and Mme. de Beauseant. The couple is hosting a grand ball at their estate, which is attended by a range of aristocrats and socialites from Parisian high society.The main character of the story is a young woman named Emilie de Fontaine, who is attending the ball with her cousin, the Marquis de Cante-Croix. Emilie is a beautiful and charming young woman, but she is also poor and lacks the social connections that would allow her to move up in the world. Despite this, she attracts the attention of several eligible bachelors at the ball, including the wealthy and handsome Vicomte de Portenduere.As the night wears on, Emilie finds herself caught up in a web of intrigue and deception. She discovers that several of the men who are pursuing her are not what they seem, and that her own cousin may be involved in a plot to deceive her. Meanwhile, the other guests at the ball are embroiled in their own dramas and scandals, from secret affairs to financial ruin.The Ball At Sceaux is a classic example of Balzac's keen eye for social dynamics and his ability to weave complex and nuanced plots. The novella is a biting commentary on the world of French high society in the early 19th century, and it offers a vivid portrait of the opulence, glamour, and hypocrisy of the era. Through the character of Emilie, Balzac explores themes of love, ambition, and social climbing, and he exposes the dark underbelly of a world that values appearance over substance.As it is extremely doubtful that the fame of the ""Bal de Sceaux"" should ever have extended beyond the borders of the Department of the Seine, it will be necessary to give some account of this weekly festivity, which at that time was important enough to threaten to become an institution. The environs of the little town of Sceaux enjoy a reputation due to the scenery, which is considered enchanting.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.