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.

She wishes to meet and ensnare the esteemed writer and conservative politician, Daniel d'Arthez.

In order to arrange this meeting, her friend Marquise d'Espard hosts a small dinner party and invites Diane, d'Arthez and some others.

It is analysed by a character in Marcel Proust's Sodome et Gomorrhe,[3] and it also influenced the plot of Henry James's The American.

[4] 1982: Les Secrets de la princesse de Cadignan, TV movie directed by Jacques Deray, with Claudine Auger in the role of the Princess of Cadignan; Marina Vlady: the Marquise d'Espard; François Marthouret: Daniel d'Arthez; Pierre Arditi: Émile Blondet; Niels Arestrup: Rastignac; Françoise Christophe: the Countess of Montcornet.