The Black Familiars (1903)

The Black Familiars is a novel written by Lucy Bethia Walford and published in 1903. The story follows the life of a young woman named Hester, who is orphaned at a young age and sent to live with her aunt and uncle in the English countryside. Hester is a strong-willed and independent woman, who is determined to make her own way in the world.As she grows older, Hester becomes increasingly fascinated by the supernatural, particularly the idea of familiars - spirits or demons that are said to assist witches in their magic. She becomes convinced that her aunt and uncle are practicing witches, and that they have a familiar of their own - a black cat that seems to have a malevolent influence over the household.Despite her fears, Hester remains in the house, determined to uncover the truth about her aunt and uncle's practices. Along the way, she meets a number of other characters, including a young man named Ralph, who becomes her love interest.As the story unfolds, Hester's suspicions are confirmed - her aunt and uncle are indeed practicing witches, and they have been using their familiar to exert control over the household and its inhabitants. Hester must use all her wits and courage to confront them and put an end to their evil practices.The Black Familiars is a gripping tale of mystery, suspense, and the supernatural, set against the backdrop of the English countryside in the early 20th century. Walford's vivid descriptions and engaging characters make for a compelling read that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.