ABSTRACT. The following is, on the face of it, a love story unfolding in Paris and such fascinating places as Sable d’Olone, Monte Carlo, Cannes, the Loire Valley. But it is much more than that, a meaningful parable dealing with the East/West dichotomy, with Eastern Europe playing the title-role of une petite Marie de Place Pigalle and emerging as a valuable and trustworthy partner. pp. 243–331

Keywords: Eastern Europe; Western Europe; the scientific personality; love; appearance; reality