Let me take you into an old-fashioned country house, built by architects of the early reign of James the First. It had all the peculiarities--I might almost say the oddities--of that particular epoch in the building art. Chimneys innumerable had it. Heaven only knows what rooms they ventilated; but their name must have been legion. The windows were not fewer in number, and much more irregular: for the chimneys were gathered together in some sort of symmetrical arrangement, while the window...

Created by Ernie Bushmiller, the beloved Brillo-headed Nancy starred in her own comic book series for years, written by arguably the greatest children's comics writer of all time, John Stanley. Most famous for scripting the adventures of Marjorie Henderson Buell's Little Lulu, John Stanley is one of comics' secret geniuses. He provided a visual rough draft for all the comics he wrote and then handed off these "scripts" for someone else to render the finished art. No matter what comic he wa...

He shouldered his way through the circle of courtiers, who barred the road to the presence, and in part hid her from observation. He pushed past the table at which Charles and the Comte de Rochefoucauld had been playing primero, and at which the latter still sat, trifling idly with the cards. Three more paces, and he reached the King, who stood in the ruelle with Rambouillet and the Italian Marshal. It was the latter who, a moment before, had summoned his Majesty from his game. Mademoisell...

I never saw anything more remarkable than the change which the death of my lady's uncle, Count Tilly, in the spring of 1632, worked at Heritzburg. Until the day when that news reached us, we went on in our quiet corner as if there were no war. We heard, and some of us believed, that the Palatine Elector, a good Calvinist like ourselves, had made himself King of Bohemia in the Emperor's teeth; and shortly afterwards--which we were much more ready to believe--that he was footing it among the...

Monsieur des Ageaux was a man of whom his best friends could not say that he shone, or tried to shine, in the pursuit of the fair sex. He was of an age, something over thirty, when experience renders more formidable the remaining charms of youth; and former conquests whet the sword for new emprises. And the time in which he lived and governed the province of Périgord for the King was a time in which the favour of ladies, and the good things to be gained thereby, stood for much, and moralit...

In 1954, a young boy escapes the emotional torment of his home, fleeing into the vast, unforgiving Australian bush. Alone and naive, he embarks on a perilous journey spanning seventy years, where every encounter shapes his destiny. Who will he meet in this wild frontier? Will he find allies among the rugged inhabitants, or will the darker elements of society pull him into their nefarious undertakings? As he navigates the trials of life, from the innocence of youth to the wisdom of age, we ...

The story revolves around a young Englishman named John Tallentyre who inherits a large estate in the south of England. The estate includes a lavender farm, and the novel explores John's experiences as he navigates the challenges and intrigues of managing his newfound property. Along the way, John encounters various characters, including a spirited young woman named Angela, with whom he develops a romantic relationship."Laid up in Lavender" is known for its charming depiction of rural life...

The story revolves around a character named Gil de Berault, a handsome and reckless nobleman who becomes embroiled in political intrigue, romance, and danger. The novel's title, "Under the Red Robe," refers to the red robe worn by the Cardinal Richelieu's agents, who are tasked with maintaining the authority of the Cardinal and the Crown.Here is a brief summary of the novel:Gil de Berault, a young French nobleman, has fallen out of favor with the Cardinal Richelieu, who is the powerful chi...

The story of "My Lady Rotha" is set in 17th-century England and revolves around the character of Lady Margaret Rotha, who becomes entangled in a web of romance, political intrigue, and betrayal. The novel explores themes of love, honor, and loyalty against a backdrop of historical events and social customs of the time.Stanley John Weyman's writing is characterized by vivid descriptions, meticulous historical research, and compelling plots that often involve daring escapades and suspenseful...

The novel explores themes of ambition, financial intrigue, and romance. Julian navigates the complexities of banking, dealing with both business challenges and personal relationships. As he rises in the banking world, he also faces moral dilemmas and choices that impact his career and personal life.Stanley John Weyman is known for his historical fiction that vividly captures the essence of different eras, and "Ovington's Bank" is no exception. The novel is praised for its detailed portraya...

The story follows the adventures of Honoré de Sainte-Marie, a young nobleman who becomes involved in the political intrigues and conflicts of the Fronde. Honoré, who is loyal to the cause of the French monarchy, navigates through dangerous and turbulent times, encountering various challenges and adversaries along the way.Weyman's novel is known for its detailed depiction of historical events and its portrayal of Honoré's journey as he fights for his beliefs and principles amidst the chaos ...

The stories in "In Kings' Byways" typically revolve around episodes of intrigue, romance, and adventure, often set against the backdrop of significant historical events or periods. Weyman's writing style is characterized by its attention to historical detail, vivid descriptions, and engaging plots.While each story in the collection stands alone, they are all connected by the theme of exploring the lives of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary circumstances during times of political u...