In The Nabob

Alphonse Daudet writes fluidly and somewhat romantically about a nouveau riche Frenchman (originally from the south of France, like Daudet) returning from Tunis and determined to buy his way into the upper reaches of Paris society. He is led from one mistake to another, humbled and humiliated.

The underlying thesis would appear to be either a) country mouse comes to city and is eaten by the urban cats or b) Darwinian naturalism rules in French society and disposes of the weak who are only superficially strong. (Goodreads)