
A series of intimate letters unfolds the inner life of an Englishwoman who, against the conventions of her time, pours out a fierce and unguarded love for a man who has only gradually come to return her affection. The correspondence begins with a confession of longing that predates any mutual feeling, revealing a blend of witty self‑awareness and raw vulnerability. As the writer chronicles her hopes, doubts, and the slow emergence of a shared bond, the reader is drawn into a world of private yearning made public.
The letters are presented in their original order, with only minimal alterations to protect names and sensitive details, preserving the immediacy of each moment. Though the identities remain concealed, the tone suggests a relationship caught in the cross‑currents of societal expectations and personal destiny. Listeners can expect a poignant portrait of love's early stages, tinged with both optimism and the quiet foreboding of forces beyond the lovers' control.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (269K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Bill Tozier, Barbara Tozier, Cally Soukup and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net.
Release date
2005-05-30
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1865–1959
A versatile English writer and illustrator, he moved easily between fairy tales, plays, poetry, and political writing. He is also remembered for his energetic support of women's suffrage, which gave his public life a strong moral edge.
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