Résumé
he file contains "Volume 09" of Honoré de Balzac's La Comédie humaine, which is part of the "Scènes de la vie parisienne" ("Scenes from Parisian life").
This volume includes "Histoire des Treize" ("History of the Thirteen").
"Histoire des Treize" is a trilogy of novellas:
Ferragus: This story is about a young officer, Auguste de Maulincour, who is in love with a married woman, Clémence Desmarets.
He sees her in a disreputable part of Paris, which leads him to uncover a secret world of deception and a powerful secret society known as "The Thirteen".
La Duchesse de Langeais ("The Duchess of Langeais"): This novel is about the coquette Antoinette de Langeais who toys with the feelings of a general, Armand de Montriveau, who is also a member of "The Thirteen".
He seeks revenge, but she eventually becomes a nun and they are tragically separated.
La Fille aux yeux d'or ("The Girl with the Golden Eyes"): This story follows the decadent Henri de Marsay, who is a member of "The Thirteen," as he becomes infatuated with the beautiful Paquita Valdes. Their relationship ends in tragedy when he discovers she is also involved with another lover, leading to her death.