Abel HERMANT (1862-1950). Autograph manuscript signed, Scènes de la vie cosmopolite, La Petite Femme, 1913; 335 leaves small in-4 (22 x 16.5 cm) mounted on tabs, bound in one volume blue half-chagrin with corners, gilt filets, spine decorated, untrimmed (L. Bernard). Complete manuscript of this novel. La Petite Femme, published in early 1914 by Librairie Alphonse Lemerre, is the second volume of Scènes de la vie cosmopolite, Abel Hermant's third novel cycle after Scènes de la vie des cours et des ambassade, and Mémoires pour servir à l'histoire de la société. The novel is a tableau de mœurs modernes, the somewhat scabrous story of a ménage à trois, told in the elegant style of this purist of the French language. First, there are two inseparable friends, Jacques Prieur, a young French banker sent to the London branch, and Eddy, one of his young employees; they are inseparable, and share the favors of Aline Duval, a charming little milliner. Jacques becomes involved with Sarah Ellington, daughter of the bank manager. Following an accident, Eddy inherits the title of Duke of Crichton and Maddox and a large fortune. He invites the newlyweds to his castle in Woodstock, then joins them on their honeymoon to Italy; on the boat from Naples to Palermo, Jacques is seasick and Eddy consoles Sarah. Jacques, urged on by his mother, divorces her and Sarah marries the Duke of Chricton. After an exile in France, Jacques returns to England, and the ménage à trois resumes. The manuscript is neatly laid out on the front pages, with no margins, in midnight blue or black ink, but with numerous erasures and corrections. It comprises 37 chapters, each signed at the head (with address, and request to return the copy with proofs) and at the end. The last chapter is dated "Tylehurst, Sunday January 13, 1913". Chap. xxxvi (3p. on 2 ff. pag. 312bis-313) is in very tight cursive handwriting. Corrected proofs of the book are enclosed, one vol. in-8, 372 pp. (dated at end "London, Tylehurst, 1913"), headed by an autograph page listing the three Scènes de la vie cosmopolite; bound in blue half-chagrin, spine decorated, slipcase.