
To Be Read at Dusk
A wind‑swept bench on the summit of the Great St. Bernard sets the scene, where five couriers and a solitary traveler watch the sunset bleed into the snow like spilled wine. The crisp air, the lingering smoke of cigars, and a distant convent create a vivid, almost cinematic backdrop that draws listeners into a moment suspended between the ordinary and the uncanny.
As the conversation drifts from flickering lights and whispered legends to strange coincidences that seem to bend fate, a German courier poses riddling questions about miracles, unseen messengers, and the thin line between reality and the supernatural. The dialogue crackles with humor and curiosity, hinting at deeper stories—like the enigmatic English bride—while the surrounding Alpine landscape amplifies the sense of mystery. Listeners will find themselves perched beside the couriers, sharing their bewilderment and anticipation for the secrets that lie just beyond the first act.
Language
en
Duration
~25 minutes (24K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
May 1, 1997
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1812–1870
A master storyteller of Victorian England, Charles Dickens brought unforgettable characters, sharp humor, and powerful social criticism to novels such as Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, and Great Expectations. His vivid portraits of hardship and hope still resonate with readers around the world.
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