The Marchioness of Brinvilliers, The Poisoner of the Seventeenth Century. A Romance of Old Paris

London: Richard Bentley, 1846 . First edition. Cloth. Very Good. 7" by 4.5". Not Stated. A tremendously scarce, first edition of Albert Smith's fascinating work surrounding the real-life tale of the Marquise de Brinvilliers, a French aristocrat accused of murdering her family. First edition. Very scarce work. This captivating novel surrounds the true story of Marie-Madeleine d'Aubray, the Marchioness of Brinvilliers, a French aristocrat who was accused of murdering her father and brothers in the seventeenth century. Madame de Brinvilliers was convicted of poisoning her family members in order to inherit their estates, a crime which led to her torture and execution after her crimes were discovered through the letters of her lover and co-conspirator. This somewhat fictional account of the life, death and romances of the Marchioness was written by English author Albert Smith.Illustrated with a frontispiece. Collated, complete. Bound in the publisher's original brown cloth. Externally, excellent, with light bumping to the extremities and spine. Ink inscription to the front paste down. Light scattered spotting to the fore edge. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean. Very Good