reference to a
novel written in 1848 by Alexandre
Dumas the younger (1824–1895). The
heroine, Camille, is a beautiful courtesan who is part of the fashionable
world of
Paris. Scorning the wealthy
Count de Varville who has offered to relieve her debts should she once more become his mistress, she escapes to the country with her penniless lover Armand Duval. Here Camille makes her great sacrifice. Giving Armand whom she truly loves the impression that she has tired of their
life together, but actually at the request of his family, she
returns to
Paris. The tale concludes with the
ultimate tragic reunion of Armand and Camille, who is dying of
tuberculosis.
—SHSBC Binder 29 Approved Glossary