of the time. The opening of the novel introduces the setting of Eguzon, a small, desolate town in France, and a young traveler braving a stormy night on horseback. As he navigates treacherous terrain, he encounters a local man who offers unsolicited advice and a warning about the dangers ahead. Their conversation reveals the traveler’s intention to reach Gargilesse, while the local expresses disdain for Monsieur Cardonnet, a wealthy outsider reportedly exploiting the region. This initial meeting establishes a sense of unease and foreshadows conflicts related to wealth, class struggles, and societal change, setting the stage for ensuing interactions among the characters that will explore these themes further. (This is an automatically generated summary.)