This collection includes stories such as "The Beautiful Empire", "The Easy Sin", "The King's Alms", "The Devil's Heir", "The Marshal" and "The Three Scribes of St.
Balzac was one of the first professional writers in French literature, and his work reflects his own difficulties and experiences. His energy and passion for writing left a deep mark in literature.
The collection represents the author's return to literature after almost four decades of silence. It consists of short prose texts - sketches - that are more plot-rich and reflective than his earlier collection, Leaves from 1887.