Stephen Archer And Other Tales

"She had hair of yellow gold, waved and rippled; her skin was fair -- and her eyes were of the blue of the heavens when bluest; and her features were delicate but strong -- her mouth large and finely curved, and haunted with smiles."

Her husband being away on a difficult mission for the court, Aurora, pregnant, takes lodgings in the castle of Watho -- the red-haired witch who longs to learn all that can be known about the world.

When Aurora gives birth, Watho convinces her the boy was born dead, and then hides him away -- to raise in pitch darkness

George MacDonald, author of "Phantastes," here tells stories ranging from the witchcraft and romance of "The History of Photogen and Nycteris" to the humorous family reminiscence of "Port in a Storm."