Nello and Patrasche were left all alone in the world. So begins the poignant story of the two orphans who were to become inseparable companions. They were Nello, an orphaned youth, and Patrasche, the dog which he and his grandfather saved from near death one day. The tale takes place outside of Antwerp, and so popular has this story become that there is a commemorative statue of Nello and Patrasche standing in the village yet today. The story is powerful, and masterfully written by Marie L...

*** Original and Unabridged Content. Made available by CLASSIC COLLECTION 600.***Synopsis:"Nello and Patrasche were left all alone in the world." So begins the poignant story of the two orphans who were to become inseparable companions. They were Nello, an orphaned youth, and Patrasche, the dog which he and his grandfather saved from near death one day. The tale takes place outside of Antwerp, and so popular has this story become that there is a commemorative statue of Nell...

In a picturesque Tyrolean town, young August Strehla trudges home through a bitter winter night, carrying beer for his family and dreaming of the warmth that awaits him. Inside the humble Strehla household, poverty is softened by affection, resilience, and the glowing presence of Hirschvogel, the great old porcelain stove that seems almost royal in its beauty. Dorothea, the capable eldest sister, stretches meager food and limited resources to keep the children fed and cheerful, while their...

The novella follows the life of Bébée, a young orphan girl living in a small village in France. She is known for her innocence, beauty, and kindness. Bébée is cared for by her older brother, Jean-Marie, who works as a woodcarver and makes two little wooden shoes for her.The narrative explores Bébée's simple and happy life until she encounters Countess Hermenstein, a wealthy and charming woman who takes an interest in Bébée due to her striking beauty. The Countess decides to take Bébée away...

In the shadowed woods of Le Selve, poverty, custom, and ancient privilege collide with devastating force. A dying peasant is left uncared for by his own family, and the young steward Cyrille arrives too late to save him, confronting a world where burial costs matter more than mercy and institutions have long abandoned the poor. His outrage only deepens the sense of menace as he moves through the forest roads, where isolation, superstition, and lawlessness shape every human relation. Cyrill...

"The Waters of Edera" is a romance novel set in Italy. The story may involve themes of love, passion, and the picturesque Italian landscape. Ouida's novels often featured strong emotional elements and vivid descriptions of settings.If you enjoy historical romance novels set in picturesque locations, "The Waters of Edera" by Ouida might be worth exploring. Ouida's works were popular in her time, and her novels often transported readers to exotic and romanticized settings.To read the book, y...

Princess Nadine Napraxine rules her world with dazzling wit, icy self-possession, and a gift for turning every conversation into a contest of intelligence and power. Before luncheon she has already made herself the center of a glittering social circle, sparring with Prince Napraxine, Lady Brancepeth, and Monsignore Melville over finance, morality, sympathy, and the absurdities of society, while revealing how little room she allows for tenderness. Yet beneath her polished irony lies somethi...

Ouida's criticism crackles with wit, passion, and moral force, turning literary review into a sweeping diagnosis of modern Europe. She writes with equal vividness about writers such as Gabriele D'Annunzio, Georges Darien, Marion Crawford, J. H. Rosny, and Wilfrid Scawen Blunt, while also taking aim at political figures and public questions, from Joseph Chamberlain's opportunism to the hypocrisies of empire, class, and fashionable society. Her judgments are sharp, independent, and often unc...

"Beatrice Boville and Other Stories" is a group of fascinating testimonies penned by the prolific Victorian-era writer Ouida. Known for her keen observations and bright storytelling, Ouida's narratives transport readers to various settings and offer glimpses into the complexities of human nature. In "Beatrice Boville," the titular character's life unfolds against the backdrop of societal expectancies and the pursuit of affection. Ouida weaves a story that explores the nuances of relationsh...

"Othmar" by Ouida is a captivating Victorian romance novel set amidst the opulent backdrop of Italian aristocratic society. In this gripping work of fiction, Ouida masterfully combines elements of romance, drama, and intrigue to create a compelling narrative that explores themes of love, wealth, and passion. At the center of the story is Othmar, a character driven by his desires and ambitions within the confines of high society. Against the lush Italian landscape, readers are drawn into a ...

First published in 1867, Under Two Flags tells the story of young Bertie Cecil, star horseman, pride of the Queen's guards, and heir to the Royallieu fortune.Bertie is forced to flee England when he accepts the blame for a scandal that threatens the honour of his mistress and the reputation of his younger brother.Faking his death, Cecil heads to Algeria, where he enlists anonymously in the French Foreign Legion and serves under the French flag.When Cecil is...

Ouida ( 1 January 1839 – 25 January 1908) was the pseudonym of the English novelist Maria Louise Ramé (although she preferred to be known as Marie Louise de la Ramée). During her career, Ouida wrote more than 40 novels, children's books and collections of short stories and essays. Her work had several phases.In 1863, when she was 24, she published her first novel, Held in Bondage.[5] (She later claimed to have written her well-received novel Idalia(1867) at the age of 16. It featured a reb...