The perfume of the lady in black
by Gaston Leroux (1868–1927)
- Free to read
- 7 hours to read
- 22 chapters
- Reading level: 7th grade
"The Perfume of the Lady in Black" by Gaston Leroux is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the aftermath of a wedding between Robert Darzac and Mathilde Stangerson, taking place in a shadowy, foreboding church. The main character, Joseph Rouletabille, a young and clever reporter, is expected to play a pivotal role in unraveling the mystery surrounding the couple's past and a lurking threat that could disrupt their newfound happiness. The opening of the novel presents a wedding marked by an atmosphere filled with unease and fear, as characters express their lingering concerns about Frederic Larsan, a presumed dead enemy linked to a traumatic past event. The wedding attendees, especially Rouletabille, are caught in a whirlwind of emotions, with the absence of Rouletabille noted when Mathilde seeks him out in distress. His unexplained disappearance evokes worry, hinting at a greater mystery at play. Additionally, the text unveils Rouletabille's complicated feelings towards Mathilde and his past encounters with her, suggesting a layered narrative that intertwines themes of love, loss, and the pursuit of truth as the story develops.
- Detective and mystery stories
- Rouletabille, Joseph (Fictitious character)
Read the opening
Chapter I
The marriage of M. Robert Darzac and Mlle. Mathilde Stangerson took place in Paris, at the Church of St. Nicolas du Chardonnet, on April 6th, 1895, everything connected with the occasion being conducted in the quietest fashion possible. A little more than two years had rolled by since the events which I have recorded in a previous volume—events so sensational that it is not speaking too strongly to say that an even longer lapse of time would not have sufficed to blot out the memory of the famous “Mystery of the Yellow Room.”
There was no doubt in the minds of those concerned that, if the arrangements for the wedding had not been made almost secretly, the little church would have been thronged and surrounded by a curious crowd, eager to gaze upon the principal personages of the drama which had aroused an interest almost world wide and the circumstances of which were still present in the minds of the sensation-loving public. But in this isolated little corner of the city, in this almost unknown parish, it was easy enough to maintain the utmost privacy. Only a few friends of M. Darzac and Professor Stangerson, on whose discretion they felt assured that they might rely, had been invited. I had the honor to be one of the number.
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About this edition
This free edition of The perfume of the lady in black by Gaston Leroux comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #75258, released 2025-01-31. 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: Crime, Thrillers and Mystery, Novels, French Literature.
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