
by Owen Meredith
DEDICATION. - TO MY FATHER.
LUCILE
PART I.
CANTO I.
CANTO II.
CANTO III.
CANTO IV.
CANTO V.
CANTO VI.
A delicate web of letters opens the tale, drawing listeners into the quiet corridors of aristocratic exchange. When the Comtesse de Nevers writes to Lord Alfred Vargrave, she does so with a blend of nostalgia and urgency, reminding him of a promise made before their friendship slipped into distance. Her plea to retrieve a cherished missive hints at hidden obligations and the faint stir of a love that may yet be fulfilled, setting a tone of restrained yearning.
The narrative unfolds against the vivid backdrop of a bustling May Fair in London, where markets hum, strawberries ripen, and invitations flutter like butterflies. Contrasting this lively scene are the solemn, mist‑laden days in the Pyrenees, where a solitary letter can shift the course of a man's plans. Through lyrical description and keen observation, the story captures the tension between public celebration and private longing, inviting listeners to linger on the moments when a single seal can change everything.
Language
en
Duration
~7 hours (432K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Donald Lainson, and David Widger
Release date
1999-08-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1831–1891
A Victorian statesman, diplomat, and poet, he moved between literature and high office with unusual ease. Best known as the 1st Earl of Lytton, he served as Viceroy of India and also published poetry under the pen name Owen Meredith.
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