This epic romantic novel places us deep in the life of Wanda - a woman who is aristocratic and beautiful, yet stubborn and headstrong.
The sole owner of a magnificent castle deep in the Austrian mountains, Wanda's life is one steeped in both the traditions of the bygone Middle Ages, and the new, industrial world of the late 19th century. All too conscious of her standing in society, it is with great caution that Wanda approaches the subject of love and marriage.
One night Wanda encounters and saves a man from drowning near her castle. Well-spoken and educated, he introduces himself as René, the Marquis de Sabran-Romaris. The last man of an ancient dynasty, René was the result of a brief romance his wealthy father had with a peasant girl. His father, realizing the value of a son to the ailing dynasty, raised young René, who consequently harbors of a shared, aristocratic mentality as Wanda.
However this story is a lie: René is infact a serf whose true identity is Vassia Kazán. Wanda, thoroughly charmed by the handsome and dashing René, and ignorant of his true identity as a lowborn serf, marries him.
However one man knows the truth of his lowly birth: Egon Vàsàrhely, a man who fought and argued with Kazán when the two were mere boys. Once he hears of René - or be it Vassia's - good fortune after many years, the reader is left to wonder; will the shocking revelation be revealed? What will Wanda do if she discovers the truth?
"Ouida" was a pseudonym of the popular Victorian and Edwardian era novelist Maria Louise Ramé. The author of many novels; Wanda is among her lengthiest. This edition contains all three volumes of the story, allowing the reader to read the entire epic tale in a single, convenient book.
