L'affaire Larcier

Two young cavalry noncommissioned officers, close friends, navigate regimental life marked by rivalry and hostility from older peers. One, from a modest provincial family and supported by a guardian, becomes addicted to gambling during a reserve stint with wealthy visitors, losing heavily and suffering official reprimand that awakens resentment. Their friendship and differing temperaments—one cautious, one impulsive—shape responses to shame, financial strain, and the consequences of pride. The narrative traces how a single reckless night amplifies underlying tensions, exposing social differences, honor codes, and the precariousness of reputation within military and familial obligations.