Story Time: The Duchess at Prayer

Happy Halloween! 👻 And welcome to another season of Christmas Past.

We’re continuing our tradition of kicking things off with a ghost story from my friends at Biblioasis Books. Every season, they issue a set of three classic ghost stories for Christmas, designed and decorated by the acclaimed artists known only as Seth.

Today’s story is Edith Wharton’s “The Duchess at Prayer,” first published in Scribner’s Magazine in 1900. Neglected by her absent husband, the beautiful Duchess Violante turns to prayer and, seemingly, the company of the Duke’s cousin. Suspicious of his wife, the Duke returns unexpectedly one day and an argument breaks out which takes a dark turn—and leaves the memory of that day immportalized in the haunting face of a stone statue.

I’m so excited to kick off another season with you and celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Christmas Past! 😮

May your days be merry and bright!

MUSIC IN THIS EPISODE

• “Relaxing Music” — Kevin MacLeod, via Incompetech
• “Halloween Lofi” —  Marek Zielinski, via Pixabay

CONNECT WITH ME

Links to social media and more https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links

Email: christmaspastpodcast@gmail.com

MY BOOKS
Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It’s Christmas as you’ve never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life.

Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday’s Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)