The Mistress of Shenstone

"The Mistress of Shenstone" by Florence L. Barclay is a novel that focuses on Lady Myra Ingleby, a thoughtful woman dealing with love, loss, and finding herself while her husband is away fighting in a war. The story explores her feelings, showing her bond with her dog, Peter, and her worries while living alone in her grand but empty Shenstone Park home. At the beginning, Lady Ingleby walks sadly, thinking about the coming winter and how much she misses her husband. With her nervous dog, Peter, she gets a telegram about a doctor visiting, which makes her a little happier. The start of the story shows Lady Ingleby's problems through how she interacts with Peter and the doctor, and her thoughts about her husband's safety, suggesting a story full of strong emotions and complicated relationships.