The Charlatan

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Robert Francis

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

“Tell me about this mysterious stranger,” Elizabeth requested.

“You mean the Chinaman?” Charlotte clarified.

“What does he look like?”

“I don’t know,” Charlotte replied.

“I thought your mother had met him,” Elizabeth reminded her.

“No. The delivery boy told my mother about him. He was bringing a supply of meat and vegetables and reported on what he had heard when he took supplies to the Red Lion.”

“So, no one has actually seen him?” Elizabeth asked, incredulous.

“All I know is that the man from China is tall, looks to be a proper English gentleman and is selling oil made from the Chinese water snake,” Charlotte admitted. “Oh. And the boy reported that the Chinaman didn’t have ready cash. He needed to trade his oil for food at the inn.”

“Sounds like a charlatan to me,” Elizabeth observed. “I’ll have to discuss this information with Papa to see how we should respond if he comes into our neighborhood.”

Very good

The creativity that this author produced is charming and fun. An enjoyable read and refreshing Pride and Prejudice version!

Inconsistent

Darcy is mistaken for a china man? He works at the Bennet estate as a farm hand he hires Elizabeth as a governess for Wickams illegitimate daughter. Elizabeth stands in door ways listening to conversations and talking the wrong meaning more than once !! The story moves forward with these misinterpretations and although prior conversations are in direct contrast.