Summary:
"The Athelings; or, the Three Gifts. Vol. 3/3" by Mrs. Oliphant is a fictional novel written in the mid-19th century. This volume likely continues the complex narrative intertwined with themes of family ties, social standing, and personal identity. The story appears to delve into the lives of the Atheling family, particularly focusing on young Charlie Atheling and his relationships with members of the Winterbourne family. The opening portion of the book reveals a tense conversation between Charlie Atheling and his mother, Mrs. Atheling, as they discuss the troubled history connecting their family to Lord Winterbourne. Charlie is eager to unravel the intricate past involving his father's actions that may have saved a young nobleman from a dire fate. This discussion leads to Charlie's determination to confront the looming dangers posed by Lord Winterbourne, amidst familial concerns about the repercussions on his sister, Marian. The young boy’s resolve shows the weight of duty on him as he prepares to leave for Oxford. Meanwhile, the narrative hints at underlying tensions and secrets tied to identity, as well as the potentially transformative events approaching the family in the wake of these revelations. (This is an automatically generated summary.)