Set in the late 19th century, this novel explores themes of ambition, justice, and gender roles against a backdrop of family dynamics and societal expectations. At the center of the story are Stephen Norman and Harold An Wolf. The opening unfolds in a quaint churchyard, where Stephen and Harold, prompted by the innocent questions of children, engage in a deep conversation on profound topics. The narrative then shifts to Stephen’s father, the Squire, who grapples with internal conflict upon the birth of his daughter, contrary to his hopes for a male heir to continue the family line. This introduction, connecting past and present, highlights themes of ambition and self-acceptance, setting a contemplative tone that foreshadows Stephen’s challenges as she navigates her father’s expectations and her social role.

FORE-GLIMPSE

CHAPTER I?STEPHEN
CHAPTER II?THE HEART OF A CHILD
CHAPTER III?HAROLD
CHAPTER IV?HAROLD AT NORMANSTAND
CHAPTER V?THE CRYPT
CHAPTER VI?A VISIT TO OXFORD
CHAPTER VII?THE NEED OF KNOWING
CHAPTER VIII?THE T-CART
CHAPTER IX?IN THE SPRING
CHAPTER X?THE RESOLVE
CHAPTER XI?THE MEETING
CHAPTER XII?ON THE ROAD HOME
CHAPTER XIII?HAROLD’S RESOLVE
CHAPTER XIV?THE BEECH GROVE
CHAPTER XV?THE END OF THE MEETING
CHAPTER XVI?A PRIVATE CONVERSATION
CHAPTER XVII?A BUSINESS TRANSACTION
CHAPTER XVIII?MORE BUSINESS
CHAPTER XIX?A LETTER
CHAPTER XX?CONFIDENCES
CHAPTER XXI?THE DUTY OF COURTESY
CHAPTER XXII?FIXING THE BOUNDS
CHAPTER XXIII?THE MAN
CHAPTER XXIV?FROM THE DEEPS
CHAPTER XXVI?A NOBLE OFFER
CHAPTER XXVII?AGE’S WISDOM
CHAPTER XXVIII?DE LANNOY
CHAPTER XXIX?THE SILVER LADY
CHAPTER XXX?THE LESSON OF THE WILDERNESS
CHAPTER XXXI?THE LIFE-LINE
CHAPTER XXXII?‘TO BE GOD AND ABLE TO DO THINGS’
CHAPTER XXXIII?THE QUEEN’S ROOM
CHAPTER XXXIV?WAITING
CHAPTER XXXV?A CRY
CHAPTER XXXVI?LIGHT
CHAPTER XXXVII?GOLDEN SILENCE