My first Honore de Balzac read, fascinating tale in flamboyant prose rings true in 2009 as it did three hundred years ago. Tale of a mediocre student whose family money allows him a life of indolence and excess. I loved the way he and his fiance offered studied indifference during the financial negotiations of the marriage. His mother-in-law\'s avarice and need to control and the groom\'s idiocy are so perfect and so very sad. I wanted the story to go on, a sequel perhaps. I shall read more of de Balzac and perhaps will find one.