Under the title "The History of the Thirteen," Honoré de Balzac brought together three thrilling tales in 1833: "Ferragus, the Head of the Conspirators," "The Duchesse de Langeais," and "The Girl with the Golden Eyes." In the first story, the author melodramatically depicts the ruin of the conspirator Ferragus, a convict whose noble-hearted daughter Clémence must hide his fate, thereby bringing misfortune upon herself and her husband. The second tale unfolds in the circles of Parisian high society. The love for the young Armand de Montriveau is merely a whim and a pastime for the Duchesse de Langeais; when she takes it seriously, a tragic ending becomes inevitable. "The Girl with the Golden Eyes" narrates the equally dangerous and risqué romantic adventure of the dandy Henri de Marsay with the beautiful Paquita, who becomes a victim of her passion.