Trapped in an unhappy marriage with a boorish, inattentive, and socially ambitious husband, Julie de Chaverny enjoys a flirtatious dalliance with the elegant Major de Chateaufort. However, the sudden reappearance of an old admirer who has returned from Turkey--along with a tale of breathtaking derring-do and chivalry to add to his charms--reawakens in Julie a forgotten passion. She pursues a rash and dangerous course of action, one that will have tragic consequences.

Prosper Merimee (1803-1870) was a French author and playwright. He is best known for his novella "Carmen," which became the basis of George Bizet's opera of the same name. Douglas Parmee is the author of "Chamfort "and has translated the work of Gustave Flaubert, Jules Valles, and several other French authors.