There is a ruby mine hidden in the heart of the mountains near a remote little city of Central Asia, unknown to European travelers; and the secret of the treasure belongs to the two chief families of the place, and has been carefully guarded for many generations, handed down through the men from father to son; and often the children of these two families have married, yet none of the women ever learned the way to the mine from their fathers, or their brothers, or their husbands, none excepting one only, and her name was Baraka, which may perhaps mean 'Blessed'; but no blessing came to her when she was born. She was much whiter and much more beautiful than the other girls of the little Tartar city; her face was oval like an ostrich egg, her skin was as the cream that rises on sheep's milk at evening, and her eyes were like the Pools of Peace in the Valley of Dark Moons; her waist also was a slender pillar of ivory, and round her ankle she could make her thumb meet her second finger; as for her feet, they were small and quick and silent as young mice. But she was not blessed.

The story of Margaret Donne, the queen of song, who finally marries the man for whom she had known only loathing and fear.

This Is A New Release Of The Original 1922 Edition.

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A late nineteenth century American author, F. Marion Crawford was a prolific novelist and noted writer of classic weird and fantastic stories. Crawford objected to the prevailing taste for realistic fiction and preferred to write gripping romance fiction. His novels are noted for vivid characterisations and their versatile and colourful depictions of European settings. Many of his works are set in Italy, the country he made his long-time home. His most celebrated achievement is the ‘Saracinesca’ trilogy of novels, which explores the effect of recent social changes on the aristocracy at a time when its influence and status were under attack from the emerging forces of modernity. For the first time in publishing history, this edition presents Crawford’s complete fictional works, with numerous illustrations, rare texts, informative introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Crawford’s life and works * Concise introductions to the novels and other texts * All 44 novels, with individual contents tables * Special ‘Saracinesca Series’ contents table to help navigate the novels * Rare novels appearing for the first time in digital publishing, including ‘With the Immortals’ and Crawford’s last novel, ‘The Undesirable Governess’ * Images of how the books were first published, giving your eReader a taste of the original texts * Excellent formatting of the texts * Includes Crawford’s non-fiction works, including his detailed history and travel books * Scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and genres Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titles CONTENTS: The Saracinesca Series The Novels Mr. Isaacs Doctor Claudius To Leeward A Roman Singer An American Politician Zoroaster A Tale of a Lonely Parish Saracinesca Marzio’s Crucifix Paul Patoff With the Immortals Greifenstein Sant’ Ilario A Cigarette-Maker’s Romance Khaled The Witch of Prague The Three Fates Don Orsino The Children of the King Pietro Ghisleri Marion Darche Katharine Lauderdale Love in Idleness The Ralstons Casa Braccio Adam Johnstone’s Son Taquisara A Rose of Yesterday Corleone Via Crucis In the Palace of the King Marietta Cecilia The Heart of Rome Whosoever Shall Offend Soprano A Lady of Rome Arethusa The Little City of Hope The Primadonna The Diva’s Ruby The White Sister Stradella The Undesirable Governess The Shorter Fiction Wandering Ghosts The King’s Messenger The Non-Fiction Our Silver The Novel: What It Is Constantinople Bar Harbor Ave Roma Immortalis Rulers of the South Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titles or to purchase this eBook as a Parts Edition of individual eBooks

There is a ruby mine hidden in the heart of the mountains near a remote little city of Central Asia, unknown to European travellers; and the secret of the treasure belongs to the two chief families of the place, and has been carefully guarded for many generations, handed down through the men from father to son; and often the children of these two families have married, yet none of the women ever learned the way to the mine from their fathers, or their brothers, or their husbands, none excepting one only, and her name was Baraka, which may perhaps mean 'Blessed'; but no blessing came to her when she was born. She was much whiter and much more beautiful than the other girls of the little Tartar city; her face was oval like an ostrich egg, her skin was as the cream that rises on sheep's milk at evening, and her eyes were like the Pools of Peace in the Valley of Dark Moons; her waist also was a slender pillar of ivory, and round her ankle she could make her thumb meet her second finger; as for her feet, they were small and quick and silent as young mice. But she was not blessed. When she was in her seventeenth year a traveller came to the little city, who was not like her own people; he was goodly to see, and her eyes were troubled by the sight of him, as the Pools of Peace are darkened when the clouds lie on the mountain-tops and sleep all day; for the stranger was tall and very fair, and his beard was like spun gold, and he feared neither man nor evil spirit, going about alone by day and night. Furthermore, he was a great physician, and possessed a small book, about the size of a man's hand, in which was contained all the knowledge of the world. By means of this book, and three small buttons that tasted of mingled salt and sugar, he cured Baraka's father of a mighty pain in the midriff which had tormented him a whole week. He brought with him also a written letter from a holy man to the chiefs of the town; therefore they did not kill him, though he had a good Mauser revolver with ammunition, worth much money, and other things useful to believers.