Publisher's Synopsis
The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope
For his sister-in-law, Lady Rose Burlesdon, Rudolf Rassendyll is a great disappointment. First of all, he is twenty-nine years old and has no useful occupation. Second, it bears such a striking resemblance to the Elphbergs, the ruling house of Ruritania, that for Rose it is a constant reminder of an old scandal involving her husband's family. More than a hundred years earlier, a prince from the country of Ruritania had visited England and became involved with the wife of one of the Rassendyll men. A boy was born who had the red hair and the big, straight nose of the Elphbergs. Since that unfortunate event, five or six descendants of the English lady and the Ruritanian prince have had the characteristic red nose and hair of their royal ancestor. Rose considers Rudolf's red hair and big nose to be a disgrace for that reason.
Rassendyll himself, however, is unconcerned about his resemblance to the Ruritan royal family. A new king will be crowned in that country in a few weeks, and Rassendyll decides to travel to Ruritania for the coronation to get a closer look at his unclaimed relatives. Realizing that his brother and sister-in-law will try to prevent him from undertaking the journey if they know of his plans, he tells them that he is going to take a tour of Tyrol. After leaving England, your first stop is Paris, where you learn more about the affairs of the country you will visit. The new king, also named Rudolf, has a half brother, Michael, Duke of Strelsau. Michael would have liked to become king, and it is hinted that he will try to prevent Rudolf's coronation. Rassendyll also learns that there is a beautiful lady, Antoinette de Mauban, who loves Michael and has her favor. She also travels to Ruritania for the coronation.
When he arrives in Ruritania and finds the capital city crowded, Rassendyll stays in Zenda, a small town about fifty miles from the capital, and prepares to travel to the capital by train for the coronation. Zenda is part of Michael's domain; His hunting lodge is only a few miles from the inn where Rassendyll is staying. Rassendyll too ...
