Milady Ladlow

In the bright constellation of renowned novelists of the Victorian era, Elizabeth Gaskell occupies the most honored place. Her works are recognized as masterpieces of world literature and have been translated into dozens of languages, including the novels "Cranford," "North and South," "Wives and Daughters," and others.

The novella "Milady Ladlow" (1858), written at the peak of the author's literary fame, was published in Charles Dickens' magazine "Household Words," as were most of Elizabeth Gaskell's works. Woven from numerous plot lines, it is imbued with the charm of "old good England" and filled with subtle humor. The action unfolds at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The era of great changes, marking the industrial revolution, has not yet touched the old estate of Lady Ladlow, where several of her young wards live. Everything here breathes tradition and is subject to the strict rules of aristocratic morality, but this cannot save one from the torments of a broken heart, and the bitterness of losses, and the shattering of hopes, although it gives the strength to live and do good.