In M-, an important town in northern Italy, the widowed Marquise of O-, a lady of excellent reputation and mother of several well-bred children, had the following announcement published in the newspapers: that she had, without knowing the cause, come to find herself in an interesting condition, that she wished the father of the child she was expecting to present himself; and that she was resolved, out of consideration for her family, to marry him.
The Marquise of O-, Heinrich Von Kleist (Translated by Martin Greenberg)
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I started reading this story because it was recommended in a book about writing, but I continued it after the opening line because I wanted to know whether the father would turn up and how he would prove his paternity.
And? 🙂 It sure is a great opening line. When was it written?
1808. To me, it was not at all clear who the father is; there are a number of men introduced suggestively by the author. Even her own father seems a bit sus. I won’t spoil it for you. All I’ll say is that she faints at the beginning of the story and next thing she’s pregnant…
What fun! Lets see if i can get it through Kindle.