This tale, set in the steppes of Hungary during the industrial revolution, sets the peasantry against the lord of the manor. To the rescue of the lord comes the worlds wealthiest peasant. This tale has something for everyone: arrogance, haughtiness, greed, avarice, usury, love, and hate. And, despite the dominant overtone of Catholicism, there is a superstitious peasantry that sees the devil in mechanization. It is hardly one of my favorites, yet still somewhat a refreshing breather from her Pimpernel novels.

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