I'd like some help identifying a short story

Cafe Society
1

I would really appreciate some help identifying a short story I read in my 10th grade English class in 1996.

iirc, it is set in the 1800’s. An upperclass woman is informed one evening that her husband has died. She goes upstairs to compose herself while the men who informed her wait below. In her room, she begins to feel joyful as she contemplates the freedom her widowhood will bring her. Meanwhile, the men downstairs realize that there has been a terrible mistake and that her husband is still alive and healthy. As she comes down the staircase her husband returns home, unaware of what has occurred. Though the men downstairs try to prevent it, she has a severe shock upon seeing her husband and collapses on the staircase. iirc she dies(from disappointment, maybe).

Maybe my google-fu is weak, but I’ve never been able to find the title or author. Does this sound familiar to any dopers out there?

2

I’m not familiar with the story, but that type of twist at the end sounds very much like an episode of The Twilight Zone.

3

That sounds like “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin.

4

That’s it! I always thought it “reminded me of” Kate Chopin. It was actually really obvious. :smack:

Thanks. :slight_smile: