This is a good book for people who like old books, set in yet older settings. It's slightly reminiscent of Georgette Heyer, but rather cruder...and probably more accurate!
It's the story of a wealthy man and the porter's daughter. The plot revolves around whether the latter is really the man's cousin or just the porter's daughter. Thinking she will inherit a vast amount of wealth (currently held by the gentleman hero of the story) the girl is courted and kidnapped throughout the book. Her lawyer and etc. off in hot pursuit.
This is a story of revenge...a dark gloomy artist uses his beautiful model as a weapon against his most hated enemy...A somewhat moralistic story. Hard to believe the girl would like a guy like that.
I read this book when I was a little kid and at that moment I had no idea of love. I just felt so sorry for the story of the happy prince. When I read it at the current age as an adult, I just cannot help crying for the true love of the swallow and the prince.I can see Oscar in every tale he wrote. I love this book.
This is one of my favorite books. After watching the BBC programme "Lark Rise to Candleford", I bought this book online. I read it everyday and just cannot stop. It's the best novel on English country life of the 18th.