An indispensable condition is set by the brilliant young general Dmitry Korf for his bride: she must be innocent! Charming Masha Stroilova, it seemed, fully meets his requirements. However, Korf has no idea what heavy burden darkens the soul of the young beauty—what sin lies in her heart—and what trace of мучительных страданий stretches behind her. The servant replaces Masha on the wedding night, but the shameful deception is uncovered… The spouses are forced to live together, hating each other: he for the deception, she for indifference. Many years pass, filled with the most tragic events for France, where he serves in the Russian embassy. Earlier, the novel was published under the titles “The French Drink of Love” and “The Seductions of the French Court.”