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The Heart of Denise, and Other Tales

by S. Levett Yeats (?–1916)

  • Free to read
  • 5 hours to read
  • 17 chapters
  • Reading level: 6th grade

"The Heart of Denise and Other Tales" by S. Levett Yeats is a historical collection of stories written in the late 19th century. The opening story, "The Heart of Denise," introduces us to the main character, Denise de Mieux, a young lady embroiled in the political and social intrigues of the French court. As her fate becomes intertwined with that of the stoic lieutenant M. de Lorgnac, Denise grapples with her forced marriage and the choices that shape her tumultuous life. At the start of the narrative, Denise finds herself waiting alone in the anteroom of Queen Catherine's cabinet, feeling stifled and lonely while the merriment of the court unfolds beyond her. Her boredom leads her to wish for M. de Lorgnac's company, but he remains indifferent to her plight. Denise overhears a conversation revealing that her errant behavior has resulted in a swift decision regarding her arranged marriage to Lorgnac, whom she detests. This revelation sets the stage for her emotional turmoil as she faces her impending nuptials while secretly yearning for freedom and destined adventures in a world fraught with danger and desire.

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  • Fiction
  • Short stories

Read the opening

Chapter I

One afternoon I sat alone in the little anteroom before the Queen Mother's cabinet. In front of me was an open door. The curtains of violet velvet, spangled with golden lilies, were half drawn, and beyond extended a long, narrow, and gloomy corridor, leading into the main salon of the Hotel de Soissons, from which the sound of music and occasional laughter came to me. My sister maids of honour were there, doubtless making merry as was their wont with the cavaliers of the court, and I longed to be with them, instead of watching away the hours in the little prison, I can call it no less, that led to the Queen's closet.

In the corridor were two sentries standing as motionless as statues. They were in shadow, except where here and there a straggling gleam of light caught their armour with dazzling effect, and M. de Lorgnac, the lieutenant of the guard, paced slowly up and down the full length of the passage, twisting his dark moustache, and turning abruptly when he came within a few feet of the entrance to the anteroom.

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Contents

  1. Chapter I
  2. Chapter II
  3. Chapter III
  4. Chapter IV
  5. Chapter V
  6. Chapter VI
  7. Chapter VII
  8. Chapter VIII
  9. Chapter IX
  10. Chapter X
  11. Chapter I: "Arcades Ambo."
  12. Chapter II: At "the Devil on Two Sticks."
  13. Chapter III
  14. Chapter IV
  15. Chapter I
  16. Chapter II
  17. Chapter III: "The Mark of the Beast."

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About this edition

This free edition of The Heart of Denise, and Other Tales by S. Levett Yeats comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #38284, released 2011-12-12. 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: Short Stories, Historical Novels, French Literature.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

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