This book is a collection of short stories by Honore de Balzac, one of the greatest French writers of the 19th century. It showcases his mastery of psychological realism, his acute observation of social manners, and his exploration of the human condition. From the tragic fate of a young artist who pursues the ideal of beauty, to the comic misadventures of a provincial lawyer who aspires to high society, these stories offer a rich and varied panorama of Balzac's literary universe.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.