Sophia Paulovna Eczardy

"Sophia Paulovna Eczardy" is an absorbing historical work by American novelist and editor Henry Harland. Excerpt «I did not have to wait very long, and then of course I saw that he corresponded in no particular with my pre-conception, being neither roly poly nor bland of countenance nor fiercely mustachioed. But I saw also and instantly that he was a vast improvement upon it. He looked precisely as though he had stepped out of a French vaudeville. Indeed, if an accurate portrait of him had been shown to me beforehand I could never have believed that it represented a real-man in real life. I should have taken for granted that it was either a fancy sketch, or a caricature, or a bit from the theatre.»