Aimer quand même

"Aimer quand même" by Jean de La Brète is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Bernard Cébronne, a prominent physician, who becomes enamored with Gertrude Deplémont, a woman burdened by her family's past and struggling for survival. The narrative explores themes of love, honor, and societal expectations as Bernard prepares to propose to Gertrude, while grappling with her complicated background. The opening of the novel introduces Bernard as he walks through the Jardin du Luxembourg, reflecting on his feelings for Gertrude. He reveals to his friend, Henri des Jonchères, that he intends to propose, despite knowing little about Gertrude's past. As Bernard's affection for Gertrude deepens, her family's troubled history looms over their potential future together. Shortly after this revelation, Bernard visits Gertrude and her mother, Mme Deplémont, only to find himself confronted by their painful history, which includes suspicions connected to a recent death in their social circle. This sets the stage for a complex exploration of love, social judgment, and the weight of the past. (This is an automatically generated summary.)