Longman, Rees etc. first edition - 1834
The 'Little Ball o' Fire' so well depicted in James' previous novel, Henry Masterton, now takes centre stage during an exciting period in French history - the early years of Louis XIV's reign, which were bedevilled by the Fronde, the machinations of Cardinal Mazarin and the military exploits of the Prince of Condé. James has certainly done his research and, although occasionally some pages descend into a mere narrative of events, he manages to marry the wider true historical framework with the exploits of his hero. I have remarked before on the author's ability to create living beings from his fictional characters and this tale is no exception. The development of Marston Hall from a rather wild cap youngster into a more sober young man is skilfully and realistically done. His successful involvement in sieges, skirmishes and political intrigue leads naturally to his social (and economic) advancement, and it is no surprise that he ends up as the Baron de Juvigny. The real life young king, Louis XIV, his crafty first minister Cardinal Mazarin, the famous general Turenne, and the errant Prince of Prince of Condé, are successfully woven into the fabric of the story.
Amongst the fictitious characters that come alive are his protector, Monsieur (Duke) de Villardin - who increasingly relies on Marston Hall and treats him as the 'son' he seemingly never had; the slightly mysterious but compelling Pere or Father Ferdinand, de Villardin's confessor; Clement de la Marke, the boy who Marston Hall takes on as his page but whose mysterious birthright persists until the last few pages; and, above all, de Villardin's daughter Laura, the heroine of the novel. Other, more minor, characters include de Villardin's faithful major domo, Jerome Laborde and his capricious but good-hearted nephew, Jacques Marlot, a loveable rogue, whose seditious printing nearly ends with him being hanged.
Of course, every tale should have its blackguard and this novel has two: Gaspard de Belleville, whose position in de Villardin's household as his senior page is ended with Marston Hall's arrival, and who regularly pops up in the story attempting to blight the latter's life; and Hubert, an incorrigible rogue. In addition, there is Gaspard's downtrodden wife (and Hubert's sister) and erstwhile maid to Laura, Suzette, who finally comes good and is responsible for thwarting her husband's and brother's dastardly crime.
I claim credit for guessing most of the twists in the story as it drew to its conclusion. The young Clement's origins was the easiest to forecast and I wondered about who Father Ferdinand really was; but another discovery was a complete surprise. James, once again, held this reader's interest from start to finish. Even though the final volume tended to be a long drawn-out, often frustrated, love story, it still gelled with the overall presentation.
Finally, an example of the author's sage musings:
The original fabric of the mind, of course, remains the same; but - as education shares with nature in the character of each human being, and as life is but a continual education, - I feel convinced that we go on altering from the cradle to the grave The tree grows up and spreads, and certainly remains for ever the ash, the elm, or the oak that it first sprouted from the ground; but its form, and appearance, and size, and strength, and beauty are changed by winds, and storms, and circumstances, and accidents, and position, and tine; and so, I am convinced, it is with the human heart. The story of John Marston Hall is a prime example. From 'The Little Ball o' Fire', he becomes a more sober young adult, but still with flickers of those juvenile flames.
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