Through unknown ways: An Old-World story: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Through unknown ways: An Old-World story: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
Through unknown ways: An Old-World story is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Guernsey, Lucy Ellen (1826–1899).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Through unknown ways: An Old-World story" by Lucy Ellen Guernsey is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. Set during the late Stuart era, it follows Dolly (Dorothy), a penniless but educated gentlewoman serving as companion to the sharp-tongued Lady Corbet, who keeps a secret diary of her trials, faith questions, and small hopes in London near Whitehall. Drawn between the kindness of Mrs. Williams, the patronage of Lady Clarenham and her kinsman Mr. Studley, and the charm of the dashing Captain Morley, Dolly navigates class and conscience amid mounting religious and political tensions. Hints of a family mystery—a sealed locket from Sir Charles Corbet—and the looming turmoil of the Monmouth period frame a story of moral testing and quiet courage. The opening of the novel unfolds as Dolly is given a small room and a hidden cabinet in Sir Charles Corbet’s long-closed house; finding blank books, she resolves to keep a journal. She recounts her past—soldier father dead abroad, capable mother ruined by a sanctimonious cheat, schooling at Hackney, then orphaned service under Lady Corbet—and Sir Charles’s deathbed gift of a secret locket she must not open. From her new window near the park she glimpses court life as Charles II sickens and dies, James II ascends, and the city shifts mood; she meets the kind Lady Clarenham and earnest Mr. Studley, reads “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” and endures Lady Corbet’s stinginess and scorn. Captain Morley pays gallant court, provoking Ursula Robertson’s jealousy, while Mrs. Williams warns Dolly to guard her reputation; Morley departs north on military business. A stark scene follows when Dr. Bates and Mr. Pendergast solicit help for the prosecuted Richard Baxter: Lady Corbet grudges a pittance, but Dolly quietly gives her own gold. As rumors of unrest spread, Ursula’s betrothed Mr. Andrews dies and she hastily resolves to wed the wealthy Mr. Jackson—likely out of pique at news of Morley—leaving Dolly soberly chronicling these first turns of fortune and conscience.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Through unknown ways: An Old-World story
- Author credits: Guernsey, Lucy Ellen (1826–1899)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Diary fiction
- Great Britain -- History -- Charles II, 1660-1685 -- Juvenile fiction
- Great Britain -- History -- James II, 1685-1688 -- Juvenile fiction
- Historical fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Historical Novels
- Category: Novels
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Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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