The Red Cockade

A historical novel written in the late 19th century. It unfolds against the tumultuous backdrop of pre-Revolutionary France, focusing on the tensions between the nobility and the rising revolutionary sentiments among the common people. The story centers on Vicomte Adrien de Saux, who finds himself caught between his noble heritage and his growing sympathies for the common people during a time of political upheaval. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Vicomte de Saux and the arrogant Marquis de St. Alais, who engage in a tense conversation regarding political reforms and societal changes. St. Alais seeks de Saux's allegiance to the La Noblesse's old ways, while de Saux struggles with his convictions about the rights of the people. The tension escalates when an unexpected incident reveals the volatility of the public mood, ultimately culminating in the news of the Bastille's fall. As de Saux grapples with his identity and place in a changing society, the opening sets the stage for his internal conflict and the broader societal clashes that characterize the upcoming revolution.