Trapped in an unhappy marriage with a boorish, inattentive and socially ambitious husband, Julie de Chaverny enjoys a flirtatious dalliance with the elegant Major de Châteaufort. However, the sudden reappearance of an old admirer, M. Darcy, who has returned from Turkey with a tale of breathtaking derring-do and chivalry to add to his charms, reawakens in Julie a forgotten passion, and convinces her to pursue a rash and dangerous course, one that will have tragic consequences.

Though less well-known than other works by Mérimée, A Slight Misunderstanding is a masterpiece of psychological insight and a minutely observed social satire. This edition contains also other stories including The Etruscan Vase, The Vision of Charles XI, Tamango, The Blue Room, A Hanging and H.B.