The Duchesse De Langeais, Book Two of 'The Thirteen'

"Considering the "Histoire des Treize" as a whole, it is of engrossing interest. And I must confess I should not think much of any boy who, beginning Balzac with this series, failed to go rather mad over it. I know there was a time when I used to like it best of all, and thought not merely "Eugenie Grandet," but "Le Pere Goriot" (though not the "Peau de Chagrin)," dull in comparison. Some attention, however, must be paid to two remarkable characters, on whom it is quite clear that Balzac expended a great deal of pains, and one of whom he seems to have 'caressed, ' as the French say, with a curious admixture of dislike and admiration. . . ."

-- George Saintsbury