The Middle Classes

by Honoré de Balzac

Dedication

Part I: THE LESSER BOURGEOIS OF PARIS

• Chapter I: DEPARTING PARIS
• Chapter II: THE HISTORY OF A TYRANNY
• Chapter III: COLLEVILLE
• Chapter IV: THE CIRCLE OF MONSIEUR AND MADAME THUILLIER
• Chapter V: A PRINCIPAL PERSONAGE
• Chapter VI: A KEYNOTE
• Chapter VII: THE WORTHY PHELLIONS
• Chapter VIII: AD MAJOREM THEODOSIS GLORIAM
• Chapter IX: THE BANKER OF THE POOR
• Chapter X: HOW BRIGITTE WAS WON
• Chapter XI: THE REIGN OF THEODOSE
• Chapter XII: DEVILS AGAINST DEVILS
• Chapter XIII: THE PERVERSITY OF DOVES
• Chapter XIV: ONE OF CERIZET'S FEMALE CLIENTS
• Chapter XV: THE DIFFICULTIES THAT CROP UP IN THE EASIEST OF THEFTS
• Chapter XVI: DU PORTAIL
• Chapter XVII: IN WHICH THE LAMB DEVOURS THE WOLF
• Chapter XVIII: SET A SAINT TO CATCH A SAINT

Part II: THE PARVENUS

• Chapter I: PHELLION, UNDER A NEW ASPECT
• Chapter II: THE PROVENCAL'S PRESENT POSITION
• Chapter III: GOOD BLOOD CANNOT LIE
• Chapter IV: HUNGARY VERSUS PROVENCE
• Chapter V: SHOWING HOW NEAR THE TARPEIAN ROCK IS TO THE CAPITOL
• Chapter VI: 'TWAS THUS THEY BADE ADIEU
• Chapter VII: HOW TO SHUT THE DOOR IN PEOPLE'S FACES
• Chapter VIII
• Chapter IX: GIVE AND TAKE
• Chapter X: IN WHICH CERIZET PRACTISES THE HEALING ART AND THE ART OF POISONING ON THE SAME DAY
• Chapter XI: EXPLANATIONS AND WHAT CAME OF THEM
• Chapter XII: A STAR
• Chapter XIII: THE MAN WHO THINKS THE STAR TOO BRIGHT
• Chapter XIV: A STORMY DAY
• Chapter XV: AT DU PORTAIL'S
• Chapter XVI: CHECKMATE TO THUILLIER
• Chapter XVII: IN THE EXERCISE OF HIS FUNCTIONS

Translator's Note

Addendum