A Lady of Quality
The story revolves around Clorinda Wildair, a beautiful and charming young woman from a noble family, who falls deeply in love with a man of lower social standing, Clairbeling. Despite their differences, they get married secretly, but their happiness is short-lived as Clairbeling dies soon after. Clorinda is left alone, pregnant, and heartbroken. She gives birth to a son and decides to raise him on her own, away from her family's influence. As the years pass, Clorinda's son grows up to be a clever and ambitious young man who seeks to reclaim his rightful place in society.
By Frances Hodgson Burnett · First published 1896 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Drama · 24 chapters · 99,275 words
First lines
On a wintry morning at the close of 1690, the sun shining faint and red through a light fog, there was a great noise of baying dogs, loud voices, and trampling of horses in the courtyard at Wildairs Hall; Sir Jeoffry being about to go forth a-hunting, and being a man with a choleric temper and big, loud voice, and given to oaths and noise even when in good-humour, his riding forth with his friends at any time was attended with boisterous commotion. This morning it was more so than usual, for he had guests with him who had come to his house the day before, and had supped late and drunk deeply, whereby the day found them, some with headaches, some with a nausea at their stomachs, and some only in an evil humour which made them curse at their horses when they were restless, and break into loud surly laughs when a coarse joke was made.
What this Textopian page supports
A Lady of Quality is listed on Textopian as a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, dated 1896 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Drama, Coming-of-Age, Romance
- Length: 99,275 words
- Structure: 24 chapters, 1,535 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Lady of Quality by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Lady of Quality?
- How does this novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- That Lass O Lowries by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- We Two by Edna Lyall
- True Love And New Love by Edith Nesbit
- One Way Of Love by Edith Nesbit
- A Son Of Ishmael by L. T. Meade
- The Head Of The House Of Coombe by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The novel is set in a specific historical period (late 17th century) and explores the social dynamics and customs of that time.
- Literary Fiction — The book delves into complex themes of identity, gender roles, and societal expectations, showcasing character development and emotional depth.
- Drama — The narrative contains intense emotional conflicts and personal struggles, particularly focusing on the protagonist's relationships and societal pressures.
- Coming-of-Age — The story follows the growth and development of the main character, Clorinda, as she navigates her identity and place in a challenging environment.
Tags
Romance · Historical Fiction · Classic Literature · Young Adult · Coming of Age · Social Class · Women's Rights · Independence · Self-Discovery · Family Drama · Relationships · Marriage
Contents
- The Twenty-Fourth Day of November 1690
- In which Sir Jeoffry Encounters his Offspring
- Wherein Sir Jeoffry's Boon Companions Drink a Toast
- Lord Twemlow's Chaplain Visits his Patron's Kinsman, and Mistress Clorinda Shines on her Birthday Night
- "not I," Said she. "there Thou Mayst Trust me. I Would not be Found out."
- Relating how Mistress Anne Discovered a Miniature
- 'Twas the Face of Sir John Oxon the Moon Shone Upon
- Two Meet in the Deserted Rose Garden, and the Old Earl of Dunstanwolde is Made a Happy Man
- "I Give to him the Thing he Craves with all his Soul -- myself"
- "Yes I have Marked him"
- Wherein a Noble Life Comes to an End
- Which Treats of the Obsequies of my Lord of Dunstanwolde, of his Lady's Widowhood, and of her Return to Town
- Wherein a Deadly War Begins
- Containing the History of the Breaking of the Horse Devil, and Relates the Returning of his Grace of Osmonde from France
- In which Sir John Oxon Finds again a Trophy he had Lost
- Dealing with that which was Done in the Panelled Parlour
- Wherein his Grace of Osmonde's Courier Arrives from France
- My Lady Dunstanwolde Sits Late Alone and Writes
- A Piteous Story is Told, and the Old Cellars Walled In
- A Noble Marriage
- An Heir is Born
- Mother Anne
- "in One who will do Justice, and Demands that it Shall be Done to each Thing he has Made, by each who Bears his Image"
- The Doves Sate Upon the Window-Ledge and Lowly Cooed and Cooed