James Branch Cabell 
Gallantry (Barnes & Noble Digital Library) 

This 1907 novel is set during the reign of George II of England.  Against a backdrop of intrigue and betrayal, England and France fence for advantage through such intermediaries of flesh and blood as Lady Allonby and her daughter, Dorothy, the Duke of Ormskirk, and the nefarious French nobleman, the duc de Puysange.

Circa l’autore

James Branch Cabell (1879-1958) wrote belles lettres and fantasy fiction. Most popular in the 1920s, his escapist literature was well regarded by respected authors of his time. He lived by his quote in The Silver Stallion, ‘The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; and the pessimist fears this is true.’