![Light Novel -?=$public_r['add_site_name']?>](/static/content/img/logo.png){kind=logo}
Tales and Novels Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the Tales and Novels novel. A total of 626 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : Tales And Novels.Volume 1.by Maria Edgeworth.PREFACE.It has been somewhere said by Johns
Tales And Novels.Volume 1.by Maria Edgeworth.PREFACE.It has been somewhere said by Johnson, that merely to invent a story is no small effort of the human understanding. How much more difficult is it to construct stories suited to the early years of youth,
- 426 "As you are the only person in the world now who takes an interest in my affairs, or to whom I can safely unburden my mind, I must, though I know complaint to be useless, relieve my heart by it for a moment. I can safely say, that for the last ten ye
- 425 "Not yet," said Alfred. Every eye turned upon him, some from pity, some from curiosity, to see how he bore his defeat. At length, when there was silence, he begged to be permitted to look at the sixpence. The judge ordered that it should be show
- 424 Having produced the deed, conveying the Hamps.h.i.+re estate to his father, Alfred called evidence to prove the signature of Sir John Percy, and the handwriting of the witnesses. He farther proved that this conveyance had been formerly seen among his fath
- 423 "No. 4. no such thing--stop, sir--Deed!"Alfred gave one look at the paper, and starting up, s.n.a.t.c.hed it from the hands of his clerk, with an exclamation of joy, signed the receipt for the commissioner, put it into his hands, locked the box,
- 422 CHAPTER XL.Some sage moralist has observed, that even in the accomplishment of our most ardent wishes in this world, there is always some circ.u.mstance that disappoints our expectations, or mixes somewhat of pain with the joy."This is perfectly true
- 421 The Count, in the strongest manner, expressed his grat.i.tude to his Prince for these proofs of his regard, given under circ.u.mstances the most trying to the human heart. He felt, at this instant, exquisite pleasure in revealing to his highness the truth
- 420 Lord Oldborough set out for the country at a very early hour in the morning, and no one previously knew his intentions, except Mr. Temple.He was desirous to avoid what it had been whispered was the design of the people, to attend him in crowds through the
- 419 "What is to come?--Cunningham, perhaps," thought Mrs. Falconer; "or perhaps something about John. When will he speak?--I can't--I must--I am happy to see your lords.h.i.+p looking so well.""Is Mrs. Falconer acquainted with La
- 418 Yes--that, Alfred said, he knew; but what did her ladys.h.i.+p do with it?"You know how I got it! Bless me! you seem to know every thing I do and say. You know my affairs vastly well--you act the conjuror admirably--pray, can you tell me whom I am to
- 417 "Only a sketch, a scrawl in pencil, while they thought I was copying a Sonnet to Wisdom--on the worst bit of paper, too, in the world--old cover of a letter I stole from Lady Trant's _reticule_ while she was at cards. Mr. Temple, you shall see m
- 416 "His majesty!" cried Lord Oldborough: "His majesty could not, I trust, for a moment imagine these letters to be I mine?""But for the hand and seal which I understood your lords.h.i.+p to acknowledge, I am persuaded his majesty cou
- 415 "If I had seen cause to believe that you had any part in this transaction, sir, you would not be here at this moment: therefore your protestations are superfluous--none would be accepted if any were necessary."The very circ.u.mstance of the son&
- 414 When Alfred arrived, Lord Oldborough was engaged with some gentlemen from the city about a loan. By the length of time which the negotiators stayed, they tried Alfred's patience; but the minister sat with immoveable composure, till they knew their ow
- 413 Tales And Novels.Volume 8.by Maria Edgeworth.PATRONAGE CHAPTER x.x.xVI.No less an event than Alfred's marriage, no event calling less imperatively upon her feelings, could have recovered Lady Jane's sympathy for Caroline. But Alfred Percy, who h
- 412 "I did--I am sensible of it--oh! you see I am; and my best--my very best have I done to drive him from my memory; and never, till I was forced to make this comparison, did I recollect--did I feel--Weak, I may be," said Caroline, changing from gr
- 411 "Nothing, my dear Lady Jane.""Nothing? my dear Caroline.""I have no more to say--I have said all I can say."The carriage stopped at their own door."We are all in the dark," said Lady Jane: "when I have more lig
- 410 The spell was upon him, and he could not articulate--a dead silence might have ensued, but that Lady Jane happily went on saying something about pine-apple ice. Lord William a.s.sented implicitly, without knowing to what, and replied, "Just so--exact
- 409 "Yes--Clay, of Clay-hall, as Mrs. Falconer would say. You see, my love, I told you truly, it was no blus.h.i.+ng matter. I am sorry I startled you by my abruptness. _Surprises_ are generally ill-judged--and always ill-bred. Acquit me, I beseech you,
- 408 "_Now_ your ladys.h.i.+p is not serious, I am sure," said Caroline."Never more serious--never so serious in my life; and, I a.s.sure you,"cried Lady Frances, speaking very earnestly and anxiously, "if you give the least hint, I wi
- 407 When Caroline saw Lady Jane restored to her strength, and in excellent spirits, preparing to take possession of a handsome house in Spring-Gardens, she thought she might be spared to return to her own family. But Lady Jane would not part with her; she ins
- 406 This affair, which was so near Mr. Gresham's heart, related to his dear Constance. Alfred had alluded to it in one of his letters, and Erasmus had begun to write the particulars to Rosamond; but he had not at the time leisure to finish the letter, an
- 405 'Strangely wild, or madly gay, I call'd it only pretty f.a.n.n.y's way.'"Fortunately, just as I was in imminent danger of exchanging true sighs for false smiles, I became acquainted with your sister Rosamond. In the country, and u
- 404 "Sir--Pray, sir!--My new invention for rifling cannon--Ordnance department!--Sir, I did apply--War-office, too, sir!--It's very hard I can't get an answer--bandied about!--Sir, I can't think myself well used--Government shall hear more
- 403 No one knew better than Lord Oldborough how to seem receiving whilst he conferred a favour; and if ever he appeared harsh, it was only where he knew that the people to whom he spoke had not feelings worthy of his consideration. His lords.h.i.+p was as muc
- 402 His father let him exhaust himself in declamation, certain that he would be brought to think of it at last, by the necessity to which he was reduced. The result was what the commissioner saw it must be. Creditors pressed--a jail in immediate view--no reso
- 401 Falconer saw that rivals.h.i.+p with the old earl and the young baronet had worked Mr. Clay into a pa.s.sion for Seraphina; but she thought she knew how a pa.s.sion for a singer must end, and as this did not interfere with her matrimonial designs, it gave
- 400 Then followed a scene of recrimination, such as was the usual consequence of the failure of any of the plans of this intriguing pair."And, Mrs. Falconer," concluded the commissioner, "I augur as ill of your present scheme for Georgiana as I
- 399 "His duty," said Rosamond, "I suppose he must have known before to-day.What new duty can he have discovered? No, no; men are not so very apt in love matters to think of opposing duties as women do: much more likely that he has heard somethi
- 398 In England Count Altenberg hoped to find a woman raised by "divine philosophy" [Footnote: Milton.] far above all illiberal prejudice, but preserving a just and becoming sense of religion; un.o.btrusive, mild, and yet firm. Every thing that he ha
- 397 "Ah! Frances!" cried Lady Anne, in a deprecating tone, with a gesture of supplication and anguish in her eyes, "do let me rest!""Never, till I have the letter."With the energy of anger and despair Lady Anne made an effort to
- 396 Here they were interrupted by Mr. Percy's return from Lord Oldborough's.The commissioner followed Mr. Percy into the room, and asked, and was answered, a variety of questions about despatches from town; trying, but, in vain, to find out what had
- 395 At this period of their acquaintance with Count Altenberg, every circ.u.mstance which drew out his character, tastes, and opinions, was interesting to the Percy family in general, and in particular to Caroline. The most commonplace and disagreeable charac
- 394 It seems that at some private theatres loud demonstrations of applause were forbidden. It was thought more genteel to approve and admire in silence,--thus to draw the line between professional actors and actresses, and gentlemen and lady performers. Upon
- 393 "Gently, pretty Pa.s.sionate, and trust to my judgment in future," putting into her daughter's hands Mrs. Percy's note."Miss Caroline Percy--sorry--out of her power!--Oh! charming!--a fine escape!" cried Georgiana, delighted.
- 392 "I!--but _you_--""To be sure, ma'am, there's a great deal of difference between I and you: only when one comes to bargaining--"She paused, seeing wrath gathering black and dire in her young lady's countenance; before it
- 391 The commissioner then, as if half in jest, half in earnest, paid Caroline a profusion of compliments upon her appearance the preceding night--numbered on his fingers the conquests she had made, and the hearts she had broken. Mrs. Percy, Rosamond, and Mr.
- 390 How much depended on this caramel! How much, of which the cook never dreamed! How much Mrs. Falconer suffered during this half hour, and suffered with a smiling countenance! How much, with a scowling brow, Miss Georgiana Falconer made poor Petcalf endure!
- 389 CHAPTER XXVI.The evening appointed for Mrs. Falconer's ball at length arrived; and all the neighbouring gentry a.s.sembled at Falconer-court. They were received by Mrs. Falconer in a splendid saloon, newly furnished for this occasion, which displayed
- 388 Lord Oldborough holds up only the gentlemen of the family--his lords.h.i.+p has nothing to do with the ladies, I suppose. Now, you know visiting can go on vastly well, to all eternity, between the gentlemen of a family without the ladies having any sort o
- 387 Lord Oldborough's reverie was interrupted by seeing, at this instant, the commissioner returning from his ride."Not a word, Mr. Percy, of what has pa.s.sed between us, to Commissioner Falconer--not a word of the _Ga.s.soc_. I put you on your gua
- 386 "MY DEAR SIR, "I write to you with my left hand, the gout having, within these few hours, incapacitated my right. Since this gout keeps me a prisoner, and I cannot, as I had intended, go to you, may I beg that you will do me the favour to come t
- 385 Falconer; "yet I can't say I like their style of singing--and knowledge of music, you know, they don't pretend to.""Why, that's true," said Miss Georgiana; "but still, somehow, I can never bring out my voice before
- 384 "I am glad that Caroline did not marry Mr. Barclay, since she did not like him; but by all accounts he is a sensible, worthy man, and I give my consent to his marriage with Lady Mary Pembroke, though, from Caroline's description, I became half i
- 383 The chief justice was so well pleased with the conversation of our young barrister, that, at parting, he gave Alfred an invitation to his house.The conversation had been very different from what might have been expected: metaphysics, belles-lettres, poetr
- 382 "Oh, mother! you are _upon your candour_--my dear mother, not only low-bred but low-born: confess you have a--what shall I call it?--an _indisposition_ towards low-born people.""Since you put me upon my candour," said Mrs. Percy, "
- 381 Gresham, but that she had felt a preference for him which she had never before shown for any other person; and they thought that, perhaps, some refinement of delicacy about accepting his large fortune, or some fear that his want of high birth, and what ar
- 380 Sir Amyas, the soft silken Sir Amyas, could not for an instant stand before the terror of Lord Oldborough's eye: the moment he was told that he was at perfect liberty to discontinue his visits, his regard--his attachment--his devotion for Lady Oldbor
- 379 "My letter was forgotten yesterday, and I am glad of it. Blessings on Farmer Grimwood of Pegginton! Little did I think that he and his quarrel about t.i.the peaches would have such happy influence on my destiny.Blessings on Farmer Grimwood of Peggint
- 378 "Yes, my dear friends at home, Alfred tells you truth, and does not flatter much. The having set up again this old citizen, who was thought bankrupt in const.i.tution, has done me honour in the city; and, as Alfred a.s.sures you, has spread my name t
- 377 "Do, my dear; you cannot refuse your cousin.""_Cousin!_ there's hope still," thought Rosamond."If it were but worthy of his acceptance," said Lady Elizabeth.--Colonel Hungerford, lost in the enjoyment of her self-timidit
- 376 "Guard!--Why guard?--What is it you suspect? What crime can you invent to lay to his charge?""I suspect him of nothing. It is no crime--except, perhaps, in your eyes, dear Rosamond," said Caroline, smiling--"no crime not to love m
- 375 Mrs. Hungerford smiled at the openness with which her niece told her conjectures, and at the steadiness with which Caroline kept Mr.Barclay's secret, by saying no more than just the thing she ought."The power of keeping a secret is very differen
- 374 presto! prestissimo!_ to her preparations. Well, have you any commands?""No commands--but my best wishes for your ladys.h.i.+p's health and happiness, whenever and wherever you go."Lady Angelica sunk down upon her seat--made a strong e
- 373 "I am sure I'm exceedingly obliged to Miss Caroline Percy," said her ladys.h.i.+p, adjusting her head-dress. "There, now, all's right again--thank you, Miss Percy--don't trouble yourself, pray."The heartless manner of th
- 372 Beauties are always curious about beauties, and wits about wits. Lady Angelica had heard that one of the Miss Percys was uncommonly handsome.Quick as eye could glance, her ladys.h.i.+p's pa.s.sed by Mrs. Percy and Rosamond as they entered the room, f
- 371 "'Gascoigne--true--Gascoigne.' His lords.h.i.+p wrote the name down in a note-book."Bows for the last time--not a word more on either side."And now that I have written all this to you, my dear mother, I am almost ashamed to send i
- 370 "My Dear Mother, "I am shocked by your story of Kate Robinson. I agree with you in rejoicing that Caroline had sufficient penetration to see the faults of Buckhurst Falconer's character, and steadiness enough, notwithstanding his agreeable
- 369 "Well, lest we should go over the same ground, and get into the same labyrinth, where we lost ourselves this morning, let me come to the point at once.--May I hope, Mr. and Mrs. Percy, to have the pleasure of Caroline's company at Tunbridge next
- 368 "What does your ladys.h.i.+p mean by _some_ fortune?""Why--you have such a strange way of not understanding! We who live in the world must speak as the world speaks--we cannot recur continually to a philosophical dictionary, and if we had r
- 367 Her mother, into whose arms she threw herself, pressed Caroline close to her heart, while Rosamond, to whom she had given her hand, held it fast, and stood motionless between surprise and sympathy. Caroline, to whose usual manners and disposition every th
- 366 Buckhurst immediately wrote to Caroline a pa.s.sionate declaration of the constancy and ardour of his attachment, and entreated her permission to wait upon her immediately."Do not sacrifice me," said Buckhurst, "to idle niceties. That I hav
- 365 Very different was Johnson from the present race of _fine_ town servants, who follow with no unequal steps the follies and vices of their _betters_; and who, by their insolence and extravagance, become the just torments of their masters. Very different wa
- 364 "Oh! star of patronage, s.h.i.+ne ever thus upon the Falconers!" cried Buckhurst, when, elevated with wine in honour of the church, he gave an account to his father at night of the success of the day.--"Oh! thou, whose influence has, for us
- 363 "Excuse me, my lord, my reasons are founded on information which I do not think myself at liberty to repeat: but upon hearing the report from--" The commissioner, in the hurry and confusion of his mind, and in his new situation, totally lost his
- 362 CHAPTER VIII.Little versed in the ways of courts or courtiers, G.o.dfrey had been easily deceived by the apparent candour of Cunningham Falconer. The fact was, that Cunningham, not directly from himself, but by means of persons of whom Lord Oldborough cou
- 361 "London, the British Hotel."You will be surprised, my dear mother, to find that I am in London, instead of being, as I had hoped I should have been by this time, with the army on the continent. Just as we were going to embark, we were counterman
- 360 LETTER FROM ERASMUS TO HIS FATHER."MY DEAR FATHER, "Pray do not feel disappointed when I tell you that I am not getting on quite so fast as I expected. I a.s.sure you, however, that I have not neglected any honourable means of bringing myself in
- 359 "In the first place, stay till it happens before you take fire,"said his father; "and, in the next place, remember that patience, and deference to his superiors, form an indispensable part of a young soldier's merit.""Ah! my
- 358 "All that are just representations of life and manners, or of the human heart," said G.o.dfrey, "provided they are--""Ah! the human heart!" interrupted Miss Hauton: "the heart only can understand the heart--who, in moder
- 357 Mr. Percy smiled, and continued:--"It appears to me highly advantageous, that _character_, in general, should descend to posterity as well as riches or honours, which are, in fact, often the representations, or consequences, in other forms, of differ
- 356 "Then why is not she here?""Don't you recollect her telling you that she would not come?""Yes: but I did not think she was in earnest.""How little you know of Caroline," replied Rosamond, "if you imagine t
- 355 "I was agreeing with you, I thought," said John."But nothing is so provoking as always agreeing with one--and I can tell you, Mr. Verytrue, that though Caroline Percy is not mine yet, I have nevertheless a little suspicion, that, such even
- 354 Therefore, leave me to follow the thing up properly with the uncle, and do you never let it sleep with the nephew: sometimes a bold stroke, sometimes a delicate touch, just as the occasion serves, or as may suit the company present--all that I trust to yo
- 353 My maxim, and the maxim of every man in public life is, or ought to be--Serve me, and I will serve you. I have no pretensions to Mr.Falconer's friends.h.i.+p on any other grounds, I am sensible; nor on any other terms can he have a claim to whatever
- 352 CHAPTER II.A few days after the departure of M. de Tourville, Commissioner Falconer, a friend, or at least a relation of Mr. Percy's, came to pay him a visit. As the commissioner looked out of the window and observed the Dutch carpenter, who was pa.s
- 351 Tales And Novels.Volume 7.by Maria Edgeworth.PATRONAGE."Above a patron--though I condescend Sometimes to call a minister my friend."TO THE READER.My daughter again applies to me for my paternal _imprimatur_; and I hope that I am not swayed by pa
- 350 continued she.--"Blame yourself, not me, for all this.--When we were first married, you humoured, you spoiled me; no temper could bear it.--Take the consequences of your own weak indulgence.--Farewell." He made no effort to retain her, and she l
- 349 Nettleby was in one of his obstinate fits, and could not be brought to listen to the scheme so near her heart: "He would have nothing to do, he said, with settling the terms of Mr. and Mrs. Bolingbroke's separation, not he!--He absolutely refuse
- 348 Mrs. Bolingbroke was incapable of thinking: she could only feel.Conflicting pa.s.sions a.s.sailed her heart. All the woman rushed upon her soul; she loved her husband more at this instant than she had ever loved him before. His firmness excited at once he
- 347 "Reason, my dear," said he; "you know love is independent of reason, according to your own definition: love is involuntary, you cannot therefore blame me for its caprices.""Insulting casuistry!" said she, weeping; "sophi
- 346 ----"'pa.s.s by me as the idle wind, Which I respect not.'"'And let her down the wind to prey at fortune.'"'Blow, thou winter's wind, Thou art not so unkind.'"'Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks;
- 345 One morning the gentlemen had been so much occupied with their plantation, that they did not attend the breakfast-table precisely in due time: the contrast in the looks of the two ladies when their husbands entered the room was striking. Griselda was prov
- 344 CHAPTER IX."And acting duty all the merit lose."Some hours afterwards, hoping to find his sultana in a better humour, Mr. Bolingbroke returned; but no sooner did he approach the sofa on which she was still seated, than she again seemed to turn i
- 343 "But I never knew him say or do any thing unkind before," said Griselda."Then the first offence should be properly resented. If he finds you forgiving, he will become encroaching; 'tis the nature of man, depend upon it.""He a
- 342 "But, my dear, should not your regard for me also suggest to you the propriety of keeping up an acquaintance with Mrs. Granby, who is married to a man I like, and who is not herself an obstinate fool?""I shall not enter into any discussion
- 341 Upon the whole, however, it was evident that they did not betray that natural horror which pervaded the more experienced matrons. All agreed that the terms were "hard terms," and ill expressed: some added, that only love could persuade a woman t
- 340 The rudeness of this speech would have been intolerable to her husband if it had not been for a certain hesitation in the emphasis with which she p.r.o.nounced the word curiosity, which left him in doubt as to her real motive.Jealousy is sometimes thought
- 339 CHAPTER III."Self-valuing Fancy, highly-crested Pride, Strong sovereign Will, and some desire to chide.""There are," says Dr. Johnson, "a thousand familiar disputes which reason can never decide; questions that elude investigation
- 338 "Pardon me, I know him better than you do.""But I have known him ever since I was a child.""That is the very reason you cannot judge of him as well as I can: how could you judge of character when you were a child?""But n
- 337 It was some time before she was sufficiently composed to understand clearly what was said to her by any person in the room, though she asked, half a dozen times, at least, from every one present, an explanation of all that had happened.Lady Littleton was
- 336 de Coulanges, I can answer for her that the sole thing in nature she thought of, in leaving this house, was the bad step of the hackney-coach.""Hackney-coach!" cried Mrs. Somers, with surprise. "Did they go away in a hackney-coach?&quo
- 335 "_But_--Good Heavens! Emilie, what weakness of mind there is in that _but_--""Is it weakness of mind to fear to disobey my mother--to dread to offend her for ever--to render her unhappy--and to deprive her, perhaps, even of the means of sub
- 334 Mad. de Coulanges could no longer consider her humour as merely _bizarre_, she found it _insupportable_; and Mrs. Somers appeared to her totally changed, and absolutely odious, now that she was roused by her own sufferings to the perception of those evils
- 333 "Not in your present humour, my dear," said Lady Littleton: "this is not the happy moment to speak reason to you. Adieu! I give you four-and-twenty hours' grace before I declare you a bankrupt in temper. You shall hear from me to-morro
- 332 Mrs. Somers made many ceremonious speeches: but Lady Littleton seemed so well inclined to accept Emilie's offered room, that she was obliged to yield. She was vexed to perceive that Emilie's manners pleased Lady Littleton; and, after they return
- 331 Mad. de Coulanges insisted upon it, that the French have humour; and Moliere furnished her with many admirable ill.u.s.trations.Emilie, in support of her mother, read a pa.s.sage from that elegant writer, M. Suard[1], who has lately attacked, with much ab
- 330 "Mad. de Coulanges expressed a wish to see the ceremony of the installation; and, though I hate such things myself, I took prodigious pains to procure tickets, and to have you well placed--""Indeed, I was very sensible of it, dear madam.&qu
- 329 "And then," continued Mad. de Coulanges, "like all these rich English, she can afford to be generous. I am persuaded that this Mrs. Somers is as rich as a Russian princess; yes, as rich as the Russian princess with the superb diadem of diam
- 328 By such speeches Emilie endeavoured to revive her mother's spirits.To a most affectionate disposition and a feeling heart she joined all the characteristic and const.i.tutional gaiety of her nation; a gaiety which, under the pressure of misfortune, m
- 327 "You are a charming, but incomprehensible girl--since you do not like compliments, you shall not be addressed with empty flattery.It is in the power of the person who dictates this, not only to make you as rich and great as your cousin Manon, but als