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J. Sheridan LeFanu's Gothic mystery novel is narrated by Richard Beckett, a young Englishman abroad in Napoleonic-era France. He falls instantly in love with a mysterious and imperiled Countess, whom he glimpses momentarily behind her black veil. In order to be near her, he takes a room in the Dragon Volant (the Flying Dragon), a haunted inn that has been the site of mysterious disappearances.

In the eventful year, 1815, I was exactly three-and-twenty, and had just succeeded to a very large sum in consols and other securities. The first fall of Napoleon had thrown the Continent open to English excursionists, anxious, let us suppose, to improve their minds by foreign travel; and I—the slight check of the "hundred days" removed, by the genius of Wellington, on the field of Waterloo—was now added to the philosophic throng.I was posting up to Paris from Brussels, following, I presume, the route that the allied army had pursued but a few weeks before—more carriages than you could believe were pursuing the same line. You could not look back or forward, without seeing into far perspective the clouds of dust which marked the line of the long series of vehicles. We were perpetually passing relays of return-horses, on their way, jaded and dusty, to the inns from which they had been taken. They were arduous times for those patient public servants. The whole world seemed posting up to Paris.I ought to have noted it more particularly, but my head was so full of Paris and the future that I passed the intervening scenery with little patience and less attention; I think, however, that it was about four miles to the frontier side of a rather picturesque little town, the name of which, as of many more important places through which I posted in my hurried journey, I forget, and about two hours before sunset, that we came up with a carriage in distress.It was not quite an upset. But the two leaders were lying flat. The booted postilions had got down, and two servants who seemed very much at sea in such matters, were by way of assisting them. A pretty little bonnet and head were popped out of the window of the carriage in distress. Its tournure, and that of the shoulders that also appeared for a moment, was captivating: I resolved to play the part of a good Samaritan; stopped my chaise, jumped out, and with my servant lent a very willing hand in the emergency. Alas! the lady with the pretty bonnet wore a very thick black veil. I could see nothing but the pattern of the Brussels lace as she drew back.A lean old gentleman, almost at the same time, stuck his head out of the window. An invalid he seemed, for although the day was hot he wore a black muffler which came up to his ears and nose, quite covering the lower part of his face, an arrangement which he disturbed by pulling it down for a moment, and poured forth a torrent of French thanks, as he uncovered his black wig, and gesticulated with grateful animation

The Room in the Dragon Volant is not really a supernatural tale. It does however have plenty of gothic elements and some genuine horror, and it’s an ingenious and entertaining tale. It’s set in France just after the end of the Napoleonic Wars, and involves a young rich Englishman who falls in love with a beautiful but mysterious, and unhappily married, countess. It also involves a room at the inn, The Dragon Volant, which has been the scene of mysterious disappearances. (Goodreads)

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The Room in the Dragon Volant by Joseph Sheridan LeFanu For fans of gothic tales and especially for fans of Joseph Sheridan LeFanu, The Room in the Dragon Volant is an absolute must-read – a real masterpiece, though not all that typically LeFanu.Though this lesser known story by LeFanu comes with lots of horror elements, it is not a typical supernatural tale. There are lots of gothic elements that make the readers hold their breath while reading, but you don’t actually encounter any revenants or other typical characters of gothic stories. What is really scary, though – and the element that shows LeFanu’s real talent – is the general atmosphere of gloom and darkness that pervades the story. The story starts in an innocent manner: a wealthy young gentleman named Richard Beckett sets out to travel and to seek adventure. He gets to travel some, but after his journey begins, the young man eventually falls in love and becomes first infatuated, then completely enslaved by a mysterious lady. The two meet when the carriage of the lady breaks and Beckett catches a glimpse of her under her veil. The Dragon Volant – a haunted inn where the protagonist takes a cursed room and which gives the story its title – is the site of many mysterious events and disappearances, LeFanu proving to be once again the master of mystery and atmosphere. The room occupied by Beckett has seen the disappearance of several lodgers before him and they disappeared while the door was locked.LeFanu’s story has everything you need for a chilling and thrilling read. There is a naive young hero, a beautiful and unhappy mysterious woman, an old and evil husband, locked rooms, mysterious disappearances, intrigue and political plotting. The language is very readable, the storytelling free-flowing, giving the reader a sample of LeFanu at his best.