Two banks of the Seine (Les Deux Rives)

Set against the bustling backdrop of the Latin Quarter, the novel follows a day when the elite and the bohemian mingle in the marble corridors of the Collège de France. Through witty observation and gentle irony, the author paints Parisian life with a psychologist’s eye, turning ordinary encounters into vivid studies of character. The narrative moves with the brisk pace of a Parisian promenade, offering both humor and insight without ever sacrificing realism.

At the story’s opening, a stylish Mme. Chambannes darts into the college, searching for a lecture on Egyptology and a mysterious lady in a blue costume. She meets the ever‑observant usher Pageot, whose bemused commentary hints at the social currents swirling beneath the surface. Their brief exchange opens a window onto a world where scholars, society dames, and street‑wise figures intersect, promising listeners a lively portrait of Parisian manners and the subtle games of its inhabitants.