In this spirited but faithful sequel to The Last Chronicle of Barset we carry on from where Anthony Trollope so frustratingly left off. We meet all our old favourites again -Archdeacon Grantly, Bishop Proudie, Glendora and Planty Pall, and the Reverend Josiah Crawley among others. But most of all this is the continuing love story of Johnny Eames, the poor clerk, and Lily Dale, the squire's daughter. Johnny has already proved his love twice, in The Small House at Allington and The Last Chronicle of Barset, but so far in vain. Will this be a case of third time lucky?