
A weary traveler climbs a sun‑baked defile through the Cumberland hills, emerging at the secluded Tordale Church perched above a sparkling waterfall. The author paints the landscape in lush detail—towering peaks, larch‑laden slopes, and a silent graveyard that feels like an untouched Eden. In this quiet sanctuary, the rush of the world falls away, leaving only the hush of a high‑noon Sabbath.
Into this serene setting steps Phemie Keller, a woman whose quiet determination and keen observations will guide the narrative. As she navigates the intersecting lives of the village, the clergy, and the surrounding countryside, the novel explores themes of faith, duty, and the yearning for connection amidst isolation. The first volume sets the stage for a richly drawn saga that unfolds across three books, inviting listeners to linger in its thoughtful, atmospheric world.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (304K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
London: Tinsley Brothers, 1866.
Credits
Richard Tonsing and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2023-08-06
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1832–1906
A pioneer of Victorian supernatural fiction, this Irish-born writer mixed ghostly unease with a sharp eye for business, money, and the pressures of everyday life. Her stories helped shape the haunted-house tale while also opening a window onto the world of 19th-century London.
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