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A genteel London townhouse opens its doors to a small, carefully curated circle of guests, where the faded grandeur of aristocratic life meets the quiet desperation of a once‑powerful matriarch. Lady Henry, now blind and frail, inhabits the back drawing‑room, shielded from the bustle by her devoted companion, the French governess Mademoiselle Le Breton, who reads and writes letters on her behalf. The atmosphere is one of restrained elegance, underscored by the soft murmurs of footmen and the lingering scent of polished wood and old perfume.
Into this world steps Jacob Delafield, a newly appointed land agent drawn to the countryside after a stint at the bar, and his old friend Sir Wilfrid, a seasoned diplomat returning from abroad. Their polite conversation hints at hidden responsibilities and unspoken loyalties, while the enigmatic presence of Mademoiselle Le Breton adds a layer of subtle intrigue. As the evening unfolds, listeners are invited to sense the delicate balance between duty, affection, and the secrets that quietly shape the lives within these walls.
Language
en
Duration
~12 hours (725K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charlie Kirschner and the PG Online Distributed Proofreading Team.
Release date
2004-10-18
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1851–1920
A bestselling Victorian novelist and social reformer, she became famous for fiction that wrestled with faith, doubt, and the moral questions of modern life. Her novels were serious, popular, and deeply engaged with the social issues of her day.
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