
In a bustling Victorian household, the tension spikes when a mysterious telegram arrives, bearing a cryptic French note that pulls Rosamund and her cousin Nevil into a tangled web of family honor and hidden danger. A hastily arranged apology to the enigmatic Dr. Shrapnel, whose name surfaces amid whispers of a murderous plot, forces Nevil to confront his own past misdeeds and the fragile loyalties that bind his relatives. As guests gather and old grievances surface, the characters must navigate a maze of expectations, pride, and the looming specter of an unresolved scandal.
Against this backdrop of aristocratic intrigue, the narrative explores the pull between duty and desire, especially through the contrasting figures of the alluring Cecilia and the enigmatic Renee. Their presence ignites a subtle rivalry that tests the hearts of the men around them, while the looming threat of a family’s reputation hangs in the balance. Listeners will be drawn into a world where every whispered conversation could tip the scales toward redemption—or further tragedy.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (149K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2003-09-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1828–1909
A major Victorian novelist and poet, he is best remembered for sharp, psychologically rich fiction and for turning comedy into a serious way of looking at human behavior. His work rewards listeners who enjoy wit, moral complexity, and characters who rarely fit simple categories.
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