Ursule Mirouët grows up after the death of her parents under the guardianship of Denis Minoret, an elderly wealthy doctor. Under his loving supervision, she enjoys a sheltered childhood in the provincial town of Nemour. The Voltairian Minoret maintains a firm atheism until he is convinced of the reality of a spiritual world through an impressive magnetic session in Paris. Upon his death, a fierce dispute arises over his will, which a group of greedy heirs attempts to contest against the virtuous Ursule. Written in 1841 and considered by Balzac to be the "most beautiful work" of that fruitful year, Ursule Mirouët was included in the Comédie humaine the following year. This new translation of the text, previously translated by Walter Benjamin among others, offers a fresh perspective on Balzac's philosophical and fantastical themes.