Lady Theobald bent forward in her landau. "Belinda," she said, "how do you do? I did not know you intended to introduce garden-parties into Slowbridge." "Dear Lady Theobald-" began Miss Belinda. "Who is that young person?" demanded her ladyship. "She is poor dear Martin's daughter," answered Miss Belinda. "She arrived today-from Nevada, where-where it appears Martin has been very fortunate, and owns a great many silver-mines-" "A 'great many' silver-mines!" cried Lady Theobald. "Are you mad, Belinda Bassett? I am ashamed of you. At your time of life too!" Miss Belinda almost shed tears. "She said 'some silver-mines, ' I am sure," she faltered; "for I remember how astonished and bewildered I was. The fact is, that she is such a very singular girl, and has told me so many wonderful things, in the strangest, cool way, that I am quite uncertain of myself. Murderers, and gold-diggers, and silver-mines, and camps full of men without women, making presents of gold girdles and dog-collars, and ear-rings that drag your ears down. It is enough to upset any one." "I should think so," responded her ladyship. "Open the carriage-door, Belinda, and let me get out." She felt that this matter must be inquired into at once, and not allowed to go too far. She had ruled Slowbridge too long to allow such innovations to remain uninvestigated.

Embark on a delightful encounter with the unconventional in Frances Hodgson Burnett's enchanting tale, "A Fair Barbarian." Join Hodgson Burnett as she introduces readers to a charming and unconventional protagonist who turns the staid world of Victorian society upside down. As Hodgson Burnett weaves her narrative, she invites readers into a world where propriety meets spontaneity, and tradition clashes with individuality. Through the eyes of her protagonist, she explores the joys and challenges of embracing one's true self in a world governed by rigid social norms. But amidst the clash of cultures and customs lies a question that resonates with readers of all ages: What does it mean to be truly free? Through her spirited protagonist, Hodgson Burnett offers a refreshing perspective on life, love, and the pursuit of happiness, reminding readers that true liberation comes from following one's heart. Join Hodgson Burnett's charming protagonist as she navigates the intricacies of Victorian society with wit, grace, and a healthy dose of irreverence. Through her unconventional approach to life, she challenges readers to question the status quo and embrace the beauty of individuality. Are you ready to be charmed by the unconventional? Immerse yourself in the pages of "A Fair Barbarian," where tradition meets rebellion in a delightful tale of self-discovery and freedom. Join Hodgson Burnett's unforgettable protagonist on a journey of laughter, love, and liberation. Experience the joy of embracing your true self. Order your copy of "A Fair Barbarian" today and embark on a charming encounter with the unconventional. Don't miss your chance to be captivated by Frances Hodgson Burnett's delightful tale. Purchase "A Fair Barbarian" now and discover the timeless allure of embracing your true self.

In Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Fair Barbarian, cultures clash when an affluent American heiress makes a splash in a sleepy British village.

The definitive and revealing biography of the author of The Secret Garden. Frances Hodgson Burnett’s favourite theme in her fiction was the reversal of fortune, and she herself knew extremes of poverty and wealth. Born in Manchester in 1849, she emigrated with her family to Tennessee because of the financial problems caused by the cotton famine. From a young age she published her stories to help the family make ends meet. Only after she married did she publish Little Lord Fauntleroy that shot her into literary stardom. On the surface, Frances’ life was extremely successful: hosting regular literary salons in her home and travelling frequently between properties in the UK and America. But behind the colourful personal and social life, she was a complex and contradictory character. She lost both parents by her twenty-first birthday, Henry James called her "the most heavenly of women" although avoided her; prominent people admired her and there were many friendships as well as an ill-advised marriage to a much younger man that ended in heartache. Her success was punctuated by periods of depression, in one instance brought on by the tragic loss of her eldest son to consumption. Ann Thwaite creates a sympathetic but balanced and eye-opening biography of the woman who has enchanted numerous generations of children.

"The Shuttle" deals with themes of intermarriages between wealthy American heiresses and impoverished British nobles. It is about wealthy American heiresses who could not make the best societal marriages because their family fortune came from new rather than old money. To solve this issue, they travelled to England. They married poor but Aristocratic husbands who needed money to finance their neglected estates.