The interesting Mrs Abell

Abstract

<p>The friendship between that towering anti-hero of the nineteenth century – Napoleon Bonaparte – and an impertinent schoolgirl named Betsy Balcombe astonished the public then and continues to intrigue readers today. And for good reason – there was something about this pretty prankster that evoked surprisingly indulgent responses from a man who was otherwise notorious for his ruthless violence and wild mood swings.</p>