
Set against the waning light of an autumn evening in the final year of the nineteenth century, the story follows Walter and Margaret as they near New York after a long ocean crossing. Their friendship, forged from childhood, has quietly deepened into a promise of marriage, yet the journey forces both to confront what they truly expect from one another. In their cabin, a playful question about mercury’s melting point opens a candid dialogue about love, loyalty, and the subtle ways affection is expressed.
Through witty banter and earnest confessions, Margaret challenges Walter to move beyond shy politeness and become the “knight” she envisions, while he wrestles with the weight of expectations and his own self‑image. The narrative captures the delicate balance of romance and personal growth at a time when societal conventions still dictate much of courtship. Listeners will be drawn into a tender, slightly humorous exploration of two hearts poised on the brink of a new life together.
Language
en
Duration
~11 hours (652K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Text file produced by Anne Soulard, Suzanne Shell, William Craig, Robert Laporte, Steen Christensen and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team HTML file produced by David Widger
Release date
2005-04-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1870–1943
Best known for bringing New Zealand’s frontier history to life, this writer drew on firsthand interviews, deep local knowledge, and a close understanding of Māori culture. His books helped preserve stories of the New Zealand Wars and the people who lived through them.
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