
A reflective narrator invites listeners into the intimate world of Britain’s governing elite at the turn of the twentieth century. Set against the backdrop of an aging Elizabethan mansion under perpetual renovation, the story follows a circle of politicians, journalists, and merchants as they navigate personal ambitions, social expectations, and the rumblings of a continent on the brink of upheaval. Through keen observation and candid reminiscences, the narrator paints a vivid portrait of a class both privileged and precarious, hinting at the subtle shifts that will soon reshape their lives.
The narrative begins in the late summer of 1898, when the narrator arrives as a guest at Crowley Court, a house still under construction yet already a symbol of status and aspiration. As friendships deepen and alliances form, the listener will sense the tension between tradition and change, and the looming shadows of a world soon to be torn apart by war. This first act offers a richly textured glimpse into a bygone era, where personal stories intertwine with the larger currents of history.
Language
en
Duration
~15 hours (886K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Edwards, Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2014-06-20
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1888–1967
A hugely popular Irish-born novelist of the early 20th century, he was known for brisk, readable fiction that often mixed politics, society, and romance. His books reached a wide audience between the wars, and he remained a recognizable literary name for decades.
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