Arcades Ambo by Bernard Capes (1899)
Miguel and Nicanor, wealthy young Peruvians and inseparable friends, leave Lima together for a grand tour before entering their fathers’ businesses. Though unlike in appearance and temperament—Miguel large, placid, and good-natured; Nicanor small, brilliant, excitable, and sharp-witted—they are celebrated for their devotion. On the voyage from Cayenne to Marseilles, both become enamoured of Suzanne de la Vénerie, a fashionable Parisian actress. Suzanne encourages each man separately while concealing the other’s claims, and their friendship turns into suspicion and rivalry. Miguel offers to renounce Suzanne for Nicanor, while Nicanor insists that Suzanne truly loves him; each believes the other deluded. Their shipmates treat the quarrel as entertainment, while Suzanne deliberately deepens it. Before landing, Suzanne arranges separate secret meetings with both men at the Café de Paris on the Boulevard des Dames, telling each that she fears scandal if they travel openly together to Paris. She brings a concealed party of amused observers to watch the expected confrontation. Nicanor arrives first, then Miguel; each realizes that Suzanne has summoned the other to the same place. Believing that only one can possess her, they agree to duel with pistols, though both confess their enduring love for one another. Nicanor fires first and wounds Miguel. Horrified, he offers Miguel the chance to shoot him in return. Instead, Miguel shoots Suzanne through the breast, killing her, and declares that he and Nicanor are reunited now that she can no longer divide them. The witnesses judge that Suzanne has brought her fate upon herself. Nicanor, though exonerated by law, is drawn to La Trappe in Normandy, where he chooses lifelong penitential seclusion, while Miguel awaits his friend free from Suzanne’s interference.
By Bernard Capes · First published 1899 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Tragedy, Satire · 3,364 words
First lines
Miguel and Nicanor were the Damon and Phintias of Lima. Their devotion to one another, in a city of gamblers-who are not, as a rule, very wont to sentimental and disinterested friendships-was a standing pleasantry. The children of rich Peruvian neighbours, they had grown up together, passed their school-days together (at an English Catholic seminary), and were at last, in the dawn of their young manhood, to make the "grand tour" in each other's company, preparatory to their entering upon the serious business of life, which was to pile wealth on wealth in their respective fathers' offices.
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The story emphasizes polished, ironic prose, psychologically revealing characterization, and an allegorical treatment of friendship, jealousy, and destructive desire.
- Tragedy — A profound friendship is corrupted by romantic rivalry and manipulation, culminating in a fatal duel, Suzanne's death, Miguel's death, and Nicanor's lifelong penitence.
- Satire — The narrative sharply mocks vanity, masculine pride, romantic posturing, social spectatorship, and Suzanne's calculated coquetry through detached and often cruel irony.
- Psychological Fiction — The plot is driven by Nicanor's jealousy, Miguel's sentimental loyalty, both men's self-deception, and their escalating inability to communicate honestly.
Tags
short story · tragicomic fiction · Edwardian literature · Lima, Peru · Cayenne, French Guiana · Marseilles, France · Normandy, France · ocean voyage · grand tour · wealthy Peruvian youth · male friendship · romantic rivalry
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Arcades Ambo is listed on Textopian as a short story by Bernard Capes, dated 1899 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Bernard Capes
- Date: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Tragedy, Satire, Psychological Fiction, Romantic Drama
- Length: 3,364 words
- Structure: 1 section, 107 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Arcades Ambo by Bernard Capes
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