Classic Book Reader
Cover of St. Martin's Summer

St. Martin's Summer

by Rafael Sabatini (1875–1950)

  • Free to read
  • 6 hours to read
  • 24 chapters
  • Reading level: 7th grade

"St. Martin's Summer" by Rafael Sabatini is a historical novel likely written in the early 20th century. The book revolves around a rich tapestry of characters in a politically charged setting, including the Seneschal of Dauphiny, Lord de Tressan, and a powerful woman, Madame de Condillac, as they navigate a dangerous plot concerning the young Mademoiselle de La Vauvraye and her marriage prospects. The story unfolds with elements of intrigue, romance, and dramatic confrontations set against a backdrop of the complexities of court life. At the start of the novel, we meet Lord de Tressan, the Seneschal, as he is interrupted from his slumber to receive a visit from Madame de Condillac, who seeks his assistance in a matter concerning her young ward, Mademoiselle de La Vauvraye. Their conversation reveals a clash of wills; Madame de Condillac is adamant about keeping control over Mademoiselle de La Vauvraye, while Tressan is caught between his duties as a loyal servant to the Queen and the challenges presented by the Dowager's ambitions. The opening portion sets the stage for the ensuing conflict and the arrival of Monsieur de Garnache, who is tasked with rescuing Mademoiselle de La Vauvraye, further heightening the tension as loyalties are tested and schemes unfold.

Read free now No app, no sign-up. Your place is saved automatically. Or download for your e-reader ↓
  • Inheritance and succession
  • France · Social life and customs
  • Nobility · France

Read the opening

Chapter I: The Seneschal of Dauphiny

My Lord of Tressan, His Majesty’s Seneschal of Dauphiny, sat at his ease, his purple doublet all undone, to yield greater freedom to his vast bulk, a yellow silken undergarment visible through the gap, as is visible the flesh of some fruit that, swollen with over-ripeness, has burst its skin.

His wig—imposed upon him by necessity, not fashion—lay on the table amid a confusion of dusty papers, and on his little fat nose, round and red as a cherry at its end, rested the bridge of his horn-rimmed spectacles. His bald head—so bald and shining that it conveyed an unpleasant sense of nakedness, suggesting that its uncovering had been an act of indelicacy on the owner’s part—rested on the back of his great chair, and hid from sight the gaudy escutcheon wrought upon the crimson leather. His eyes were closed, his mouth open, and whether from that mouth or from his nose—or, perhaps, conflicting for issue between both—there came a snorting, rumbling sound to proclaim that my Lord the Seneschal was hard at work upon the King’s business.

Keep reading St. Martin's Summer →

Contents

  1. Chapter I: The Seneschal of Dauphiny
  2. Chapter II: Monsieur De Garnache
  3. Chapter III: The Dowager’s Compliance
  4. Chapter IV: The Chateau De Condillac
  5. Chapter V: Monsieur De Garnache Loses His Temper
  6. Chapter VI: Monsieur De Garnache Keeps His Temper
  7. Chapter VII: The Opening of the Trap
  8. Chapter VIII: The Closing of the Trap
  9. Chapter IX: The Seneschal’s Advice
  10. Chapter X: The Recruit
  11. Chapter XI: Valerie’s Gaoler
  12. Chapter XII: A Matter of Conscience
  13. Chapter XIII: The Courier
  14. Chapter XIV: Florimond’s Letter
  15. Chapter XV: The Conference
  16. Chapter XVI: The Unexpected
  17. Chapter XVII: How Monsieur De Garnache Left Condillac
  18. Chapter XVIII: In the Moat
  19. Chapter XIX: Through the Night
  20. Chapter XX: Florimond De Condillac
  21. Chapter XXI: The Ghost in the Cupboard
  22. Chapter XXII: The Offices of Mother Church
  23. Chapter XXIII: The Judgment of Garnache
  24. Chapter XXIV: Saint Martin’s Eve

Download for your e-reader

Files are provided by Project Gutenberg. On a Kindle, the simplest route is to send the EPUB with Amazon’s Send to Kindle. Downloaded copies don’t sync with your place on Classic Book Reader.

About this edition

This free edition of St. Martin's Summer by Rafael Sabatini comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #2640, released 2001-05-01. 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, Novels.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

More by Rafael Sabatini