The Ordeal by Mary Noailles Murfree

Name: The Ordeal
Author: Mary Noailles Murfree

The narrative unfolds in the Great Smoky Mountains, where the Briscoe family enjoys a secluded autumn at their summer cottage. Edward Briscoe, a wealthy and genial host, is joined by his cousin Julian Bayne, who arrives unexpectedly to discuss the settlement of a family estate. Tension arises when Briscoe reveals that his wife, Lillian Royston, is also present, a woman with whom Bayne shares a painful past. Five years prior, Bayne was jilted by Lillian, who married another man, Archibald Royston. The emotional undercurrents between the characters are palpable, as Bayne insists that Lillian is of no consequence to him, despite the evident discomfort of their reunion. As the evening progresses, the atmosphere shifts when a sudden commotion occurs outside. A stranger arrives, a revenue officer named Frank Dean, who is on a mission to investigate moonshining activities in the area. His presence heightens the tension, especially as the Briscoes express concern for their safety in the wild mountains. The night culminates in tragedy when Briscoe is accidentally shot by a moonshiner, leading to his death and the abduction of his young son, Archie. The narrative then shifts to Lillian's desperate search for her son, who is believed to have been kidnapped by the moonshiners. Bayne, feeling a sense of responsibility and guilt, becomes deeply involved in the search, driven by his lingering feelings for Lillian and a desire to make amends for the past. The story explores themes of love, loss, and redemption as Lillian and Bayne navigate their complex emotions while seeking to recover Archie. As the search intensifies, Lillian's hope is reignited when a clue surfaces: a stone resembling a lily found in Archie's coat pocket. This discovery leads to renewed determination to find the child, and Lillian's conviction that Archie is still alive becomes a driving force in her actions. The narrative captures the emotional turmoil of the characters as they grapple with their pasts and the present crisis. Ultimately, the story culminates in a dramatic revelation when Archie is found alive among the Cherokee, having been taken in by an old fortune-teller. The reunion is fraught with emotion, as Lillian's joy is tempered by the memories of her husband's death and the trauma of the abduction. The resolution of the narrative highlights themes of forgiveness and the enduring bonds of family, as Lillian and Bayne confront their shared history and the possibility of a future together.

By Mary Noailles Murfree · First published 1890 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Regional Fiction, Historical Fiction · 14 chapters · 47,481 words

First lines

Nowhere could the idea of peace be more serenely, more majestically, expressed. The lofty purple mountains limited the horizon, and in their multitude and imposing symmetry bespoke the vast intentions of beneficent creation. The valley, glooming low, harbored all the shadows. The air was still, the sky as pellucid as crystal, and where a crag projected boldly from the forests, the growths of balsam fir extending almost to the brink, it seemed as if the myriad fibres of the summit-line of foliage might be counted, so finely drawn, so individual, was each against the azure. Below the boughs the road swept along the crest of the crag and thence curved inward, and one surveying the scene from the windows of a bungalow at no great distance could look straight beyond the point of the precipice and into the heart of the sunset, still aflare about the west.

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The Ordeal is listed on Textopian as a novel by Mary Noailles Murfree, dated 1890 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Mary Noailles Murfree
Date: 1890 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Regional Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Drama
Length: 47,481 words
Structure: 14 chapters, 479 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The book explores complex characters and themes, focusing on human experiences and emotions.
Regional Fiction — Set in the American South, it reflects the culture, landscape, and social issues of the region.
Historical Fiction — The narrative incorporates historical elements and settings relevant to the time period.
Romance — The plot includes romantic relationships that are central to character development.