The Ball at Sceaux

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

The Ball at Sceaux

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Set against the backdrop of post-revolutionary France, this novel follows Emilie de Fontaine, a proud aristocrat who rejects wealthy suitors in search of an ideal match. Her quest leads her to a mysterious stranger at a country ball, sparking a romance that challenges her rigid expectations and explores themes of class, duty, and the changing social order.

Summary up to 500 words

In Honore de Balzac's *The Ball at Sceaux*, the narrative centers on the Comte de Fontaine, a staunch royalist from Poitou who, despite being ruined by confiscation during the Revolution, restores his family's standing through unwavering loyalty to Louis XVIII. His political acumen and wit earn him significant favor, securing high offices for his three sons while he struggles to arrange advantageous marriages for his three daughters. The youngest, Emilie, is a spoiled and willful young woman who chafes against her domestic confinement. Eager to experience the world of the 'common folk,' she attends a ball at Sceaux in disguise, hoping to find genuine joy among the crowd. At the ball, Emilie observes the social mix with critical detachment until she spots a striking stranger: Maximilien Longueville, a young diplomat recently returned from Germany. Unlike the peers she expects, Maximilien is a man of substance who has sacrificed his inheritance to care for his sister, Clara, and manage banking affairs in Brazil. Emilie becomes captivated by his elegance and demeanor, attempting to capture his attention through indirect means. However, her pursuit is complicated when she discovers that Maximilien had previously shown profound kindness to a poor dancing girl named Clara, escorting her home with tender care. Emilie eventually realizes that Maximilien is the man of her dreams, but her happiness is thwarted by perceived indifference. Overhearing him converse intimately with a Neapolitan Duchess, she mistakenly believes he intends to marry her or another woman. Heartbroken and feeling betrayed, Emilie cruelly rejects him, coldly telling him she will find him married upon his return from Italy. Maximilien departs for Italy, leaving Emilie in despair. The story concludes with a profound transformation in Emilie's character. Following her rejection and the departure of her lover, she undergoes a maturation process, becoming attentive and devoted to her aging uncle, the Comte de Kergarouet. She cares for him with dedication, listening to his military reminiscences and participating in his life with genuine affection. Two years later, she marries the Comte de Kergarouet. While the marriage is described as one of 'matrimonial galleys' where she reigns with strictness, it represents a life of duty rather than passion. The novel ends with Maximilien's return to Paris as a Vicomte and widower, offering Emilie a chance at redemption, though the text implies her heart remains closed to him forever, having chosen the path of solemn responsibility over romantic fulfillment.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Fiction
• Social Realism