The Quicksilver PoolA respectful attitude towards history and a respectable feeling for people marks this story of the winter and summer of 1862-3 on Staten Island. Wade Tyler, recovering from war wounds, brings Lora home as his second wife and reverts to his old submission to his demanding mother. Lora works to win the love of Jemmy, his eight-year old son, works, too, to learn the mystery of Virginia's death and discovers the evil intent of the dead woman's sister, Morgan, who has always wanted Wade. Morgan's insistence that Wade join the Knights of the Golden Circle awakens his interest; Jemmy's yearning for a puppy mixes in with the politics; Lora, when a neighbor woos her, discovers that she is falling in love with Wade; and when the draft riots break out, learns that he has not been deceived by Vallandigham and his Circle's treason, and is working only for the Union. With the burning of Morgan's house and her confession about the truth of her sister's death, Lora finds Wade has finally turned away from his dead love and truly wants her, his living one. A spunky piece, Lora, whose many problems are resolved in believable terms and who is backgrounded by plausible characters, history and place. For that more conservative market out of patience with currently too well fleshed historical novels, this will be welcome. |
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Adam Hume beneath candle chair Christmas Christmas tree Clement Vallandigham Copperheads course cried dark door downstairs dress Ellie eyes face father feel felt fingers fire girl glanced gown grandmother Hamlin hand happened head heard hill hurried Jemmy Jemmy's John Ambrose King Arthur knew Libby Prison light listened Lora asked Lora found Lora looked Lora saw Lora thought Lora's Lorie matter Morgan Channing Morgan Le Fay morning Mother Tyler moved never night nodded Norwood old lady once Papa parlor party Perhaps Peter picture Pineville pulled puppy quickly quiet reached Rebecca seemed Serena shook sitting room sleigh smile softly stairs stared Staten Island steps stood stop sure talk tell There's thing told tonight tree Tyler house veranda Virginia voice Wade Wade's waiting warm watching window woman wondered woods words