
In a sun‑dappled manor where mornings begin with a tumble of broken hats and a mischievous puppy, Miss Hermia Challoner commands her world with a flamboyant mix of wit and aristocratic disdain. Her devoted maid Titine scrambles to dress her mistress, coaxing silk stockings and suede slippers onto a figure that transforms from a wind‑blown youth into a poised lady of fashion in moments. The scene crackles with lively banter, the clatter of horse‑ridden escapades, and the indulgent pleasure of a leisurely breakfast.
Yet beneath the polished veneer a curious pattern emerges: a box of flowers and a mysterious envelope arrive with unsettling regularity, each Monday and Thursday threatening to disturb her cultivated routine. Hermia brushes the intrigue aside, preferring the comfort of chocolate‑pot delights, but the quiet persistence of the correspondence hints at secrets waiting to surface. Listeners are invited to join the household as its characters navigate charm, chaos, and the first stirrings of an unexpected mystery.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (502K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-03-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1870–1942
Best remembered for popular adventure and romantic fiction of the early 20th century, this American novelist also worked as a screenwriter during the silent-film era. His stories were widely serialized in magazines and often adapted for the screen.
View all books