An essay rather than a story, the author writes of her experience at Pere Lachaise Cemetary in Paris, where many famous people are buried. She is in search of the grave of Victor Noir, hero in France for daring to criticize Napoleon’s cousin. According to lore, anyone who touches the tomb of Noir will be married within the year. On her way to his tomb through the 118 acre park, she passes the graves of many of the famous and infamous interred there. Many of the tombs and monuments are touching and even lovely.

It doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a pretty little piece, almost a prose poem. ( )