Les Secrets de la princesse de Cadignan (English "The Secrets of the Princesse de Cadignan") is a short story by Honoré de Balzac. It was published in 1839 and is one of the Scènes de la vie Parisienne of La Comédie humaine.The short story depicts a princess of Cadignan whose husband was exiled. After a number of extramarital affairs, the princess decides to seduce a conservative politician. She uses the pretext of conversing about a deceased mutual friend, and makes an effort to read the politician's books in order to have topics to discuss with him. Source: Wikipedia (en)