George Kennett, a soldier in the Peninsular campaign, returns to Running Horse inn in a little town in the south of England upon the day that his brother, believing him dead, weds the girl who had promised to wait for him. At first the returned soldier succeeds fairly well in accepting the inevitable, but when financial hardships come, and his old love for Bess masters him, he turns scoundrel, and brings misery to his brother’s home. He pays the penalty for the guilt which he was morally responsible for, although he is innocent technically of the charge that hangs him.
“A really fine historical novel.”
| + | Acad. 71: 479. N. 10, ’06. 190w. |
“His military experiences show more power than any other portion of the book.”
| + − | Ath. 1906, 2: 509. O. 27. 120w. |
“The tender character studies of rural English folk, the captain’s yarns, the homely life within the Inn, and the eternal scenery along the downs, and, above all, the solemn tread with which all events seem to march toward the final, inevitable tragedy gives the book power.”
| + | Ind. 63: 572. S. 5, ’07. 140w. |
“Has set himself a difficult task and if he has not fully succeeded it is fair to recognize the ambition.”
| + − | Lond. Times. 5: 369. N. 2, ’06. 250w. |