
In the tumult of Paris, 1792, the city teeters between idealistic hope and violent upheaval. As the monarchy crumbles and the revolutionary fervor intensifies, a small circle of young provincials—known as the Poitevins— gathers in secret, bound by loyalty to a dethroned king and a yearning to restore order. Their meetings, once elegant affairs in Rue Vivienne, now pulse with urgency, each member grappling with personal convictions and the perilous stakes of dissent.
Among them are three brothers‑in‑spirit, raised near one another in the quiet countryside of Poitou, each carrying a distinct temperament and secret longing. Their intertwined fates pull them into a daring plan to rescue the royal family, while romantic entanglements blossom amid the chaos. As loyalties clash and the streets of Paris roar with revolutionary zeal, these young men must decide whether love, honor, or ambition will guide them through the storm that threatens to reshape France forever.
Language
en
Duration
~16 hours (975K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
E-text prepared by Andrew Turek HTML file produced by David Widger
Release date
2004-05-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1815–1882
Best known for the Barsetshire and Palliser novels, this prolific Victorian writer turned the routines of politics, clergy, and everyday social life into rich, deeply human fiction. His books are loved for their wit, psychological insight, and steady, companionable storytelling.
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