The Big Gapal is a mysterious diamond that the abbesses of the famous de S. family pass on to one another as a symbol of earthly power and heavenly glory. At the beginning of the 18th century, the beautiful Sophia Victoria, who owns it, prepares her young niece Emily Gabrielle to receive it when her time comes. She teaches the girl the art of pleasure, the refined sciences, and is engaged in the education of her feelings. But such education, which in fact is one of the most beautiful love stories, shocks and outrages society. An ambitious and treacherous cardinal, fearing that the influence and power of the Abbess will be stronger than his influence and power, goes to great lengths to overthrow her and destroy the abbey. Big Gapal, as the legend about him dictates, becomes the main “trump card” in the battle that is being waged humility and arrogance, happiness and glory, vice and virtue, and points the way to holiness. The exquisite spicy novel by Paul Constant (winner of the Goncourt Prize in 1998), which brought the writer European fame, is published in the translation of Alla Smirnova, winner of the Arc de Triomphe award.