It has been noted for the complexity of its three-part plot,[1] and for its description of the Charge of the Light Brigade, a failed military action during the Battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War.

When many years later he learns of this fact, he becomes a groom under an assumed name, and, when his identity leaks out, enlists in the Army and goes to the Crimea, where he is one of the six hundred of the Light Brigade which made the famous charge.

Two women play an important part in the life of the hero, Charles,—Adelaide, very beautiful in form and figure, with little depth, and lovely Mary Corby, who, cast up by shipwreck, is adopted by Norah.

Father Mackworth proves that Charles is the true son of Norah and James Norton, the illegitimate brother of Denzel; and William, the groom foster-brother, is real heir of Ravenshoe.

For the 17th Lancers, the Scots-Greys, the 1st Royals, and the 6th Enniskillens—"these terrible beef-fed islanders" (to use the words of the Northern Bee)—were upon them; and Volnyia and Hampshire, Renfrewshire and Grodno, Podolia and Fermanagh, were mixed together in one common ruin.

Still, they say, the Princess Petrovitch, on certain days, leaves her carriage, and walks a mile through the snow barefoot, into Alexandroski, in memory of her light-haired handsome young son, whom Hornby slew at Balaclava.

Up and down, in all weathers, along a certain gravel walk, where the chalk brook, having flooded the park with its dammed-up waters, comes foaming and spouting over a cascade, and hurries past the smooth-mown lawns of the pleasance.

[7]The author himself regarded Ravenshoe with much affection: "Of all the ghosts of old friends which I have called up in this quaint trade, the writing of fiction, only two remain and never quit me.