A Son of Mars, volume 2

In Short

This novel follows Herbert, a soldier who rises through the ranks of the British Army while pursuing a clandestine claim to the Farrington baronetcy. Set against the backdrop of the Ashanti campaign and the social life of Gibraltar, the story depicts a struggle for justice that pits a principled, self-made officer against an unscrupulous, landed relative. It is a work of Victorian melodrama that emphasizes character resilience, the pursuit of truth, and the triumph of hard-earned virtue over the cold calculations of class and family pride.

The Story

The narrative begins with Herbert recovering from illness in the aftermath of a grueling conflict in West Africa. Despite his physical weakness, his spirit is hardened by his desire for vengeance against Ernest Farrington, a man who has led his foster sister, Mimie, into ruin. Herbert’s path forward is complicated by his complex origins; he is the secret heir to a noble title, yet he is treated as an outsider by the current occupant of the family estate, the harsh and unforgiving Sir Rupert.

As Herbert returns to his regiment, stationed in Gibraltar, he finds himself caught between his military duties and the prospect of a courtship with Edith Prioleau, the daughter of a high-ranking general. Their budding romance is fiercely opposed by her parents, who view the soldier as a social inferior—a "pretender" with uncertain prospects. Herbert remains steadfast, refusing to abandon his profession or his claim, even as Sir Rupert employs every available legal and psychological maneuver to maintain his grip on the Farrington wealth.

The conflict moves from the battlefield and the ballroom to the courtroom. A mysterious letter leads Herbert and his elderly ally, the dowager Lady Farrington, to discover evidence of his parents' legitimate marriage. As the legal battle unfolds, the trial reaches a fever pitch with the sudden, shocking appearance of a witness long thought lost: Herbert’s own father, the true Sir Herbert Farrington, who has returned from decades of exploration in Africa.

The revelation of the father’s survival collapses Sir Rupert’s defenses. The legal victory confirms Herbert’s legitimacy, allowing him to claim his place in the world. He marries Edith, winning the respect of her once-skeptical father through his continued professional dedication. The various antagonists are cast into obscurity or forced to accept the new order, while Herbert’s foster parents are rewarded for their early kindness. The story concludes with the original baronet returning to the wilds he loves, leaving his son, now a rising officer and rightful heir, to uphold the family name with honor.

How It Unfolds

The call to duty Herbert recovers from his wounds in an Ashanti village garrison, where he confronts the cowardly and hostile Ernest Farrington. Despite the impending threat of attack, he maintains his resolve to settle their personal score.

A clash of wills Sir Rupert Farrington attempts to maintain control over his family by banishing his son and isolating the elderly dowager in an asylum. He is forced to retreat from this position when Herbert, displaying a surprising grasp of legal procedure, threatens to expose the illegality of his actions.

Social resistance In Gibraltar, Herbert finds his pursuit of Edith Prioleau blocked by her parents, who view his background with suspicion and contempt. He must navigate the insults of rival officers and the general’s prohibition against further contact with his daughter.

The legal reckoning The long-standing mystery of Herbert’s birth reaches the courtroom, where the case initially appears destined for failure. The proceedings are turned on their head by the dramatic intervention of a witness arriving from the South African veldt.

Resolution of fates With the title secured, the characters find their proper places; the usurper is humbled, the loyal foster parents are cared for, and Herbert embarks on a life that balances his military career with his new responsibilities.

The People

Herbert, the protagonist, seeks both professional recognition and the restoration of his identity. He is defined by his persistence and his refusal to be cowed by his "betters." Edith Prioleau is the object of his affection; she is winsome and bright, struggling to reconcile her feelings for Herbert with the expectations of her rank and the demands of her parents.

Sir Rupert Farrington acts as the central antagonist, a man whose insecurity regarding his position drives him to cruelty and deception. He serves as a foil to Herbert, representing the arrogance and moral decay of a status-obsessed aristocracy. Lady Farrington, the dowager, provides the emotional and financial support necessary for Herbert’s journey, serving as a beacon of hope against the calculated efforts of the family’s detractors. Finally, the elder Sir Herbert appears as a legendary figure whose return resolves the central question of the novel, shifting from a man of the "wilds" to the legitimate authority that validates his son’s struggle.

In Its Own Voice

‘Farrington or no Farrington, he shall answer for this to me, mother, and that I swear.’

Herbert expresses his volatile determination to hold his enemy accountable for the betrayal of his foster sister.

‘The Boy’ was also one of the household.

The author describes the quiet integration of a loyal, humble associate into the new, more comfortable life of the protagonist.

‘I am deeply and sincerely attached to your daughter, sir, and I wished to ask her to become my wife.’

Herbert speaks with characteristic directness to the disapproving General, refusing to hide his intentions despite the threat to his own reputation.

What It's Really About

At its heart, the book interrogates the rigid class boundaries of the late nineteenth century. It argues that character and merit—proven through service and sacrifice—should supersede the stagnant claims of birthright. The narrative creates a tension between the "gentleman" by birth and the "gentleman" by action, ultimately suggesting that true nobility is found in the latter. It also explores the theme of displacement; both the protagonist, who is robbed of his heritage, and his father, who spends decades in the remote wilds, represent the struggle to find one’s proper place in an indifferent, often hostile society. The legal case is not merely about property, but about the right to be recognized for who one truly is.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the brisk, moralizing pacing of nineteenth-century serial fiction will find much to admire here. It is an honest, straightforward account of a man who earns his way, written with the confidence of an author who knows the structures of both the barracks and the courtroom. There is a palpable warmth in the author's portrayal of the "worthy" parents, providing a grounding, human element to the otherwise grand stakes of the inheritance plot.

The prose reflects its era, featuring the clipped, sometimes haughty dialogue of military officers and the dramatic, declarative style common to the period’s popular novels. Contemporary readers should be prepared for the overt class prejudice of the antagonists, which the author presents without modern filter. However, the book’s central drive—the underdog’s relentless climb against institutional and social odds—remains a compelling, evergreen engine for a story. It feels like a genuine relic of a past age, offering an immersive look at how Victorians imagined the relationship between the colonial soldier and the British home front. If you have a taste for period settings, military life, and the satisfying, if sometimes predictable, triumph of justice over malice, this volume provides a sincere and well-structured journey to a long-awaited resolution.