
"He held out his hand when Madame presented him." - "The two scoundrels pulled up at the sight of it." - "Throwing herself on her knees at the Duke's feet."
CHAPTER I - FROM BEYOND THE PALE
CHAPTER II - A CHESS OPENING
CHAPTER III - MY PLAN OF CAMPAIGN
CHAPTER IV - MADAME D'ARTELLE
CHAPTER V - A NIGHT ADVENTURE
CHAPTER VI - GARETH
CHAPTER VII - GARETH'S FATHER
CHAPTER VIII - COUNT KARL
CHAPTER IX - I COME TO TERMS WITH MADAME
A desperate final letter arrives from a fallen count, pleading with his brother‑in‑law to entrust his daughter, Christabel, with a dangerous mission: to clear a family name ruined by intrigue and false accusations. The missive hints at a secret patriotic movement, hidden allies, and a web of powerful dukes and colonels whose loyalties could shift like pieces on a chessboard. As the story opens, Christabel, a young woman of modest means, learns that the legacy she has inherited may be far more perilous—and far more exhilarating—than she ever imagined.
Drawn into a world of elegant salons, covert meetings, and daring escapades, Christabel must rely on her wits, courage, and an unexpected ally named Gareth. Along the way she encounters enigmatic figures such as the mysterious Madame D’Artelle and a charismatic duke whose favor could decide her fate. The narrative weaves humor, romance, and high‑stakes intrigue, promising a thrilling adventure that tests the limits of her cleverness and resolve.
Language
en
Duration
~7 hours (432K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Al Haines
Release date
2011-04-11
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1852–1923
A journalist-turned-novelist, he wrote fast-moving popular fiction filled with political intrigue, danger, and high-stakes adventure. His stories, widely reprinted and still read today, capture the energy of late Victorian and Edwardian sensation fiction.
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