The novel revolves around the life of Ursule Mirouet, a gentle and devout orphan raised by her godfather, Doctor Minoret, in the town of Nemours. As the doctor's wealth and Ursule's prospects of inheritance become apparent, she becomes the target of her jealous and greedy relatives who conspire to discredit her and claim the fortune for themselves. The story delves into themes of greed, family conflict, and the supernatural, as Ursule's life is influenced by mesmerism and visions that guide her through her trials. Ultimately, it is a tale of virtue rewarded and vice punished, set against the backdrop of provincial French society in the 19th century.

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