Les Cent Nouvelles Nouvelles, tome II

Set in 16th‑century Paris, the tale follows a well‑known woman whose charm has drawn the attention of many admirers. As she lies gravely ill, she confronts the looming end with a mixture of devotion and anxiety, reflecting on the many children she has borne—some fathered by her husband, others by former lovers.

In her final hours she summons two former paramours, entrusting each with a portion of her offspring. The scene is charged with emotional weight: her husband returns to find a bewildered child delivering cryptic news, while the woman strives to secure the future of each child before death claims her. The narrative weaves together themes of love, duty, and the fragile balance of family ties, offering listeners a vivid glimpse into the moral complexities of early modern French society.