
Randal Courteney seeks refuge on a quiet stretch of Hurley Bay, hoping the lingering summer heat will keep the crowds at bay while he gathers thoughts for his next novel. His solitude is abruptly broken by a bright‑eyed child who asks for help over the breakwater, turning the serene shoreline into a fleeting, almost fairy‑tale scene. As he assists her, the child’s playful chatter introduces a name that haunts him—Rosa Mundi, the enigmatic dancer whose legend has lingered in his memory.
The encounter pulls Courteney into a puzzling mix of nostalgia and curiosity, hinting at a secret that has been kept hidden for years. Through his reluctant conversation with the child, the story begins to explore how art, obsession, and forgotten promises can surface in the most unexpected places. The opening promises a blend of lyrical description and quiet suspense, inviting listeners to follow Courteney as he navigates the thin line between reality and the whispers of an unseen past.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (481K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-10-17
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1881–1939
A hugely popular British romance writer in the early 20th century, she built a large readership with emotional, fast-moving novels that critics often dismissed but readers eagerly embraced. Her breakthrough book, The Way of an Eagle, helped launch a career that lasted from 1911 until her death in 1939.
View all books
by Ethel M. (Ethel May) Dell

by Ethel M. (Ethel May) Dell

by Ethel M. (Ethel May) Dell

by Ethel M. (Ethel May) Dell

by Ethel M. (Ethel May) Dell

by Ethel M. (Ethel May) Dell

by Ethel M. (Ethel May) Dell

by Ethel M. (Ethel May) Dell