Beverly of Graustark

Beverly of Graustark is a romantic adventure novel by George Barr McCutcheon, published in 1904. It returns to the imaginary Eastern European principality introduced in Graustark, but places a new American heroine at the center of the story.

Beverly Calhoun travels to Graustark to join her friend Princess Yetive while the little country faces unrest and the threat of war. On the difficult road to the capital she encounters a band of fugitives and takes an immediate interest in their commanding, enigmatic leader, Baldos.

Once in Edelweiss, Beverly uses her influence to secure Baldos a place in the palace guard. His unknown past, General Marlanx's suspicions, and the conflict beyond the border turn her impulsive act into a matter of state as affection grows between them.

McCutcheon combines court intrigue, hidden identities, danger, and comedy in a Ruritanian romance about an outsider who refuses to behave like a conventional court lady.

"Far off in the mountain lands, somewhere to the east of the setting sun, lies the principality of Graustark, serene relic of rare old feudal days. The traveler reaches the little domain after an arduous, sometimes perilous journey from the great European capitals, whether they be north or south or west— never east."