"A Prince of Bohemia" by Honoré de Balzac is a historical drama that carries an air of mystery. At the home of the Marquise de Rochefide, Nathan relates the story of La Palferine aka Count Rusticoli. Also present is Madame de la Baudraye who has written a short story based on something she'd learned of just a short time earlier. The family's fame and fortune faded and the men are forced to become soldiers to make ends meet.