The False Chevalier or, The Lifeguard of Marie Antoinette

by W. D. (William Douw) Lighthall

"The False Chevalier" by W. D. Lighthall is a novel likely written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around Germain Lecour, the son of a prosperous fur trader in Canada, who embarks on a journey to France, where he becomes entangled in the complexities of love, identity, and social status during the tumultuous pre-Revolutionary era. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Germain, a handsome young man returning home just before his departure for France. His family is proud and excited about the opportunity, which is tied to his father's fur trade business. After a heartfelt blessing from his father and a joyful family gathering, Germain is unexpectedly ushered into an adventure that begins with a ceremonial dance and culminates in a surprise encounter with Indigenous chiefs who adopt him as one of their own. This unique blend of familial warmth and the looming specter of adventure sets the stage for Germain's voyage to a foreign land filled with unfamiliar customs and societal hierarchies.