The Heart of Princess Osra

"The Heart of Princess Osra" by Anthony Hope is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around the lives and loves of characters entangled in a royal court, primarily focusing on Stephen the smith and Princess Osra, whose destinies become intertwined through a series of dramatic events and royal intrigues. With themes of love, honor, and personal desire against the backdrop of noble expectations, the tale delves into the complexities of romance and personal sacrifice. The opening of the novel introduces Stephen, a talented smith living in the city of Strelsau, who is unexpectedly thrust into the royal circle when Prince Henry informs him that he is to marry Countess Hilda, purely at the whim of King Henry. This revelation is steeped in chaos as Stephen harbors feelings for another maiden, Osra, whom he has only glimpsed. Meanwhile, Osra, witnessing the unfolding events, grapples with her own feelings towards Stephen, leading to a deeper conflict between duty and love. As the narrative progresses, tensions mount within the court, culminating in a setting ripe for adventure and romance that keeps readers on edge about the fates of the characters. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins, better known as Anthony Hope, was a British novelist and playwright. He was a prolific writer, especially of adventure novels but he is remembered predominantly for only two books: The Prisoner of Zenda (1894) and its sequel Rupert of Hentzau (1898).