Octave Feuillet
Le roman d'un jeune homme pauvre (Novel)
"Le roman d'un jeune homme pauvre (Novel)" by Octave Feuillet is a novel published in 1858. A ruined aristocrat, Maxime Odiot, accepts a position as steward for the wealthy Laroque family—the same family that once seized his family's fortune. When Marguerite, the family's sole heiress, falls for him, she suspects him of being a fortune hunter. Maxime, however, remains unaware of the theft that stripped his family of their wealth. This sentimental novel with social themes achieved great success upon release.