
The opening scene places listeners in the smoky, lantern‑lit streets of London’s St. James’s district, where two seasoned politicians slip away from the bustle of clubs to discuss a secret that could reshape their careers. Their dialogue crackles with the urgency of a looming crisis, hinting at broken alliances, a dying statesman, and a contested vision for England’s future. As they navigate personal grievances and the shifting tides of party politics, the conversation reveals the delicate balance between public duty and private ambition.
Set against the backdrop of 19th‑century power plays, the story weaves together historical figures, whispered conspiracies, and the ever‑present question of who will steer the nation forward. Listeners are drawn into a world where friendships are tested, loyalties are questioned, and the promise of change hangs in the air, inviting them to follow the characters as they grapple with the stakes of a nation on the brink of transformation.
Language
en
Duration
~16 hours (977K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by John Bickers; Dagny; David Widger
Release date
2006-04-27
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1804–1881
A brilliant novelist who rose to become one of Victorian Britain’s best-known prime ministers, he brought theatrical wit and sharp political instinct to both Parliament and the page. His fiction, especially novels like Coningsby and Sybil, helped shape the ideas behind what later became known as one-nation conservatism.
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