The English title for this work is The Old Maid. It is available as an ebook on kindle or free from Gutenberg. The Old Maid is a great introduction to the work of early 19th century French author Honore de Balzac. It is part of his extensive Comedie Humane collection. It's other part title - The jealousies of a country town - gives a hint as to the story. The old maid Mlle Cormon is around forty years old and rich, an heiress to her uncle the Abbe in the town of Alencon. Mlle Cormon has devoted herself to her religion and despite not wanting to die an old maid has already turned down at least one suitor. There are two older men vying for her hand - both of whom are after her wealth - and one younger man who secretly loves her. There is move and counter move as each tries to outmanoeuvre the other. Add to the mix the scheming young Suzanne who wants to better her own life, the opposing small town factions of royalists and republicans, and the social mores of the town, and you have an enjoyable read on the fraility of the human condition with detailed characterisation. Mlle Cormon does eventually marry, but not happily. To say who the successful suitor is would be a spoiler. Suffice to say, it is a good read. ( )

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