Armand Durand; ou, La promesse accomplie

by Mrs. (Rosanna Eleanor) Leprohon

"Armand Durand; ou, La promesse accomplie" by Mrs. Leprohon is a romantic novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around Paul Durand, a young farmer in a French Canadian settlement, and highlights his relationship with his wife Geneviève, as well as the challenges they face as a married couple. Central to the narrative are themes of love, jealousy, and the societal expectations placed upon them. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Paul Durand, a respectable farmer who, after the death of his controlling mother, finally seeks a wife. He chooses Geneviève Audet, a delicate young woman who struggles to adjust to her new rural life. The early chapters depict their courtship and marriage, setting the stage for the conflicts that arise from both Paul’s jealousy towards Geneviève’s interactions with others, particularly a charming officer, Captain de Chevandier, and Geneviève's difficulties in managing their household. The opening establishes a vivid portrayal of their world, the expectations of their community, and the emotional fluctuations of newlyweds navigating marital bliss and strife.