Peard, Frances Mary: An Interloper. v1. 2 May 2014
 

Frances Mary Peard: (1835–1923). Born in Exminster, Devon, she was the daughter of a naval officer. Frances Mary Peard published more than forty books between 1867 and 1909, mostly domestic novels and short-story volumes. Much of her fiction is historical and much is set abroad; some is specifically aimed at younger readers. Many of her letters, like her exotic fiction, have the qualities of good travel writing. She wrote poetry only during her adolescence, except on a few private occasions.

Excerpt
Monsieur Raoul, in his carriage, was making the round of the estates. To a certain extent, this was a frequent custom, but there were times when it was attended by a more deliberate ceremony and purpose, and such was the case this morning. The carriage went slowly, as if on a tour of inspection. When it passed men, they gave a ready “Good-day.” Where the white-capped women were not at work, they came smiling to their doorways on hearing the familiar noise of wheels, sometimes holding up their children that they, too, might look at M. Raoul. Evidently he was a great personage, although you might not have guessed it.