The Rapin

"The Rapin" by H. De Vere Stacpoole is a journey into the late 19th-century Parisian elite, seen through the eyes of Désiré Cammora, or Toto, a young prince navigating the expectations of his noble lineage while his spirited nature seeks refuge in the artistic circles of the city. The story starts at the Princesse de Cammora's salon, where Toto's engagements with his mother and other guests illustrate his charming, yet vice-indulgent, character, and he is torn between the pleasures of Paris under the weight of social standing and the vibrant passion of his art. An American girl, Helen Powers, sees the merit in his are and favors him. Overall, the narrative hints at a character attempting to create his own destiny, creating opportunity for clashes between who he is and who he is expected to be.