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Bardelys the Magnificent

by Rafael Sabatini (1875–1950)

  • Free to read
  • 5 hours to read
  • 22 chapters
  • Reading level: 7th grade

"Bardelys the Magnificent" by Rafael Sabatini is a historical novel likely written in the early 20th century. The narrative follows the charismatic and extravagant young nobleman, Sieur Marcel de Saint-Pol, the Marquis of Bardelys, as he embarks on a bold wager to woo the unattainable Roxalanne de Lavedan. Set in a time of sociopolitical tension in France, the story combines themes of romance, rivalry, and adventure amidst the backdrop of courtly life. At the start of the book, we meet Bardelys as he engages in a spirited discussion with his peers, which is disrupted by the arrival of his rival, the Comte de Chatellerault. The atmosphere at Bardelys' gathering shifts as Chatellerault, recently defeated in love, becomes the subject of mockery. Fueled by the stirring of his pride, Bardelys accepts a wager challenging his abilities to win Roxalanne's heart—a woman deemed cold and difficult to attain. The opening chapters introduce the lively social dynamics of the court, Bardelys' adventurous spirit, and hint at the challenges he will face as he embarks on his quest to win the lady and uphold his reputation.

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  • France · History · Louis XIII, 1610-1643
  • Revenge
  • False imprisonment
  • Man-woman relationships
  • Treasure troves
  • Escapes

Read the opening

Chapter I: The Wager

“Speak of the Devil,” whispered La Fosse in my ear, and, moved by the words and by the significance of his glance, I turned in my chair.

The door had opened, and under the lintel stood the thick-set figure of the Comte de Chatellerault. Before him a lacquey in my escutcheoned livery of red-and-gold was receiving, with back obsequiously bent, his hat and cloak.

A sudden hush fell upon the assembly where a moment ago this very man had been the subject of our talk, and silenced were the wits that but an instant since had been making free with his name and turning the Languedoc courtship—from which he was newly returned with the shame of defeat—into a subject for heartless mockery and jest. Surprise was in the air for we had heard that Chatellerault was crushed by his ill-fortune in the lists of Cupid, and we had not looked to see him joining so soon a board at which—or so at least I boasted—mirth presided.

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Contents

  1. Chapter I: The Wager
  2. Chapter II: The King's Wishes
  3. Chapter III: Rene De Lesperon
  4. Chapter IV: A Maid in the Moonlight
  5. Chapter V: The Vicomte De Lavedan
  6. Chapter VI: In Convalescence
  7. Chapter VII: The Hostility of Saint-Eustache
  8. Chapter VIII: The Portrait
  9. Chapter IX: A Night Alarm
  10. Chapter X: The Risen Dead
  11. Chapter XI: The King's Commissioner
  12. Chapter XII: The Tribunal of Toulouse
  13. Chapter XIII: The Eleventh Hour
  14. Chapter XIV: Eavesdropping
  15. Chapter XV: Monsieur De Chatellerault Is Angry
  16. Chapter XVI: Swords!
  17. Chapter XVII: The Babbling of Ganymede
  18. Chapter XVIII: Saint-Eustache Is Obstinate
  19. Chapter XIX: The Flint and the Steel
  20. Chapter XX: The “Bravi” at Blagnac
  21. Chapter XXI: Louis the Just
  22. Chapter XXII: We Unsaddle

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About this edition

This free edition of Bardelys the Magnificent by Rafael Sabatini comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #2389, released 2000-11-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Historical Novels, Romance, Adventure, French Literature.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

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