DEDICATION To Helene. The tiniest boat is not launched upon the sea without the protection of some living emblem or revered name, placed upon it by the mariners. In accordance with this time-honored custom, Madame, I pray you to be the protectress of this book now launched upon our literary ocean; and may the Imperial name which the Church has canonized and your devotion has doubly sanctified for me guard it from perils. De Balzac.
| I. | THE SAUVIATS |
| II. | VERONIQUE |
| III. | MARRIAGE |
| IV. | THE HISTORY OF MANY MARRIED WOMEN IN THE PROVINCES |
| V. | TASCHERON |
| VI. | DISCUSSIONS AND CHRISTIAN SOLICITUDES |
| VII. | MONTEGNAC |
| VIII. | THE RECTOR OF MONTEGNAC |
| IX. | DENISE |
| X. | THIRD PHASE OF VERONIQUE’S LIFE |
| XI. | THE RECTOR AT WORK |
| XII. | THE SOUL OF FORESTS |
| XIII. | FARRABESCHE |
| XIV. | THE TORRENT OF THE GABOU |
| XV. | STORY OF A GALLEY-SLAVE |
| XVI. | CONCERNS ONE OF THE BLUNDERS OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY |
| XVII. | THE REVOLUTION OF JULY JUDGED AT MONTEGNAC |
| XVIII. | CATHERINE CURIEUX |
| XIX. | A DEATH BLOW |
| XX. | THE LAST STRUGGLE |
| XXI. | CONFESSION AT THE GATES OF THE TOMB |