La Grande Meute plot
After the death of his father, Côme de Lambrefaut inherits the castle and the adjacent land. The notary, Master Marvault, explains to him that all these assets are mortgaged and advises him to marry a woman, preferably of noble birth and wealthy, who can bear him a son. Côme also inherits a hundred and ten hunting dogs that he decides to keep, whatever it may cost him. Hubert Martin du Bocage, an immensely wealthy neighbour, has organized a garden party so that his daughter Arlette can meet and possibly seduce Côme de Lambrefaut. But the latter is more attracted to Agnès de Charancay, a ruined aristocrat maintained by the Marquise de Badoul.