title: From Valois to Bourbon: Dynasty, State and Society in Early Modern France (History)
author: Keith Cameron
description: <br><strong>Keith Cameron</strong> is Professor in French and Renaissance Studies, University of Exeter.<br>
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  # An Old Maid
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### Honore de Balzac
  
  
  ##### Translated by Katharine Prescott Wormeley
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
      
  
  
  DEDICATION
  
  
  
  
  
  To Monsieur Eugene-Auguste-Georges-Louis Midy de la Greneraye
  
  
  Surville, Royal Engineer of the Ponts at Chausses.
  
  
  
  
  
  As a testimony to the affection of his brother-in-law,
  
  
  
  
  
  De Balzac
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### CHAPTER I. ONE OF MANY CHEVALIERS DE VALOIS
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  Most persons have encountered, in certain provinces in France, a
  
  
  number of Chevaliers de Valois. One lived in Normandy, another at
  
  
  Bourges, a third (with whom we have here to do) flourished in Alencon,
  
  
  and doubtless the South possesses others. The number of the Valesian
  
  
  tribe is, however, of no consequence to the present tale. All these
  
  
  chevaliers, among whom were doubtless some who were Valois as Louis
  
  
  XIV. was Bourbon, knew so little of one another that it was not
  
  
  advisable to speak to one about the others. They w