This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from GeneralBooksClub.com. You can also preview excerpts from the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Original Published by: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington in 1882 in 353 pages; Subjects: Fiction / General; Fiction / Classics; Fiction / Literary; Fiction / Religious; Fiction / Christian / General; Literary Criticism / European / English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh;

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1882. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XVIII. BEFORE DINNER. It was a glorious morning. There was not a breath of wind, and the sun was shining to the tune, "Keep up your hearts, I am up here still; we all have our parts, and must work with a will." But Nature lay dead, with a great white sheet cast over face and form. Not dead?—Just as much dead as ever is man when the neighbours say, “We shall not see him again.” The poor old lord who sat looking into the fire, would have been glad to think that the approaching dank and cold of the sepulchre would be the end of all things to him—that he would be permitted to lie there, and not have to get up and go to worse quarters. “I am sorry to be the bringer of ill news, my lord,” said the laird, reentering. “Our roads and your horses both render it impossible you should proceed to-day.” His guest turned white through all the discoloration of tobacco and strong drink. He stood silent, his pendulous under lip trembling. “After the wind fell,” resumed the laird, “it continued to snow for some hours, and it seems quite impossible you should get through. The attempt would be no small risk.” “Joan,” said lord Mergwain, “go and order the rascal to put the horses to.” Lady Joan turned from the window, drew her shawl up from her shoulders over her head, and went. Cosmo ran to open the door for her. The laird looked on, and said not a word. "Will you come and show me where to find the coachman, Cosmo?" said lady Joan as she reached the door, where the boy stood holding it. Her smile flashing out in white teeth and dark eyes be-witched him. Then first, in the morning light and the brilliance of the snow-glare, he saw that she was beautiful. With the shadows around her, the dusk of her complexion obscured itself; against the sheeny world she stood out darkly ra...

Michael Phillips has written four dozen books, most of them novels, with sales totaling over five million copies. He also has edited George MacDonald novels for today's reader, including, The Curate of Glaston. He and his wife make their home in Eureka, California.