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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,
- 301 "Nor I, neither," thought Lord Colambre; but he thanked the young man, and determined to avail himself of Larry's misconception of false report; examined the stones very gravely, and said, "This promises well. Lapis caliminaris, schist
- 302 It was now fine moonlight, and Lord Colambre met with a boy, who said he could show him a short way across the fields to the widow O'Neil's cottage.CHAPTER XII.All were asleep at the cottage, when Lord Colambre arrived, except the widow, who was
- 303 Lord Colambre's attention was now engaged by the view of the castle and park of Clonbrony. He had not seen it since he was six years old.Some faint reminiscence from his childhood made him feel or fancy that he knew the place. It was a fine castle, s
- 304 "Grace, dear, I must speak, if I die for it; sure it's for my mother,"said the young man, struggling forward, while his mother held him back; "I must speak.""Oh, he's ruined, I see it," said Grace, putting her hand
- 305 "On that point, perhaps, sir, you and I may differ.""Very well, my lord, you will follow your own principles, if it suits your convenience.""Whether it does or not, sir, I shall abide by my principles.""Dennis! the lette
- 306 "Burn it!" cried Sir Terence, pinching the sealing-wax; "for I burnt myself with the pleasure of the surprise."Garraghty, without saying a word, was picking up the guineas that were scattered upon the floor."How fortunate I am,&qu
- 307 "Nevertheless, you will observe that fifteen hundred guineas have been saved to my father at one stroke, by his not signing those leases.""Saved to you, my lord; not your father, if you please," said Sir Terence. "For now I'm
- 308 "Why, Terry, what did you hide for?" said Lord Clonbrony."Hide! I didn't hide, nor wouldn't from any man living, _let alone_ any woman.[1] Hide! no; but I just stood looking out of the window, behind this curtain, that my poor Lad
- 309 "Lord Colambre seems to have a fair chance of a pleasant breakfast,"said Miss Nugent, smiling; "reproaches on all sides.""I have heard none on your side, Grace," said Lord Clonbrony; "and that's the reason, I suppos
- 310 "Believe me--believe me, mother; for I speak of what I know. Scorn them--quit them! Return to an unsophisticated people--to poor, but grateful hearts, still warm with the remembrance of your kindness, still blessing you for favours long since conferr
- 311 "My Lord Colambre! I would give the contents of three such bills to be sure of such n.o.blemanly conduct as yours. Lady Clonbrony's furniture shall be safely packed, without costing her a farthing."With the help of Mr. Edwards, the solicito
- 312 "Generosity!" interrupted Miss Nugent; "you totally misunderstand me; there is no generosity, nothing for me to give up in the case. I did not refuse Mr. Salisbury from generosity, but because I did not love him. Perhaps my seeing early wha
- 313 "Colambre, my dear! I forgot to say, that, if any thing detains you longer than Wednesday se'nnight, I beg you will not fail to write, or I shall be miserable.""I will write: at all events, my dearest mother, you shall hear from me.&qu
- 314 "She never was in it," said Lord Colambre. "Only laid siege to it,"said the count. "Well, I am glad your heart did not surrender at discretion, or rather without discretion. Then I may tell you, without fear or preface, that the L
- 315 "Colambre."The count, in the mean time, wrote a letter for him to Sir James Brooke, describing the packet which he had given to the amba.s.sador, and relating all the circ.u.mstances that could lead to its recovery.Lord Colambre, almost before t
- 316 This speech Lord Colambre and the count tacitly agreed to consider as another _apart_, which they were not to hear, or seem to hear. The count began again on the business of their visit, as he saw that Lord Colambre was boiling with impatience, and feared
- 317 Reynolds, and to tell you, sir, before any body else; and to hope the cheese _come_ safe up again at last; and to ask whether the Iceland moss agrees with your chocolate, and is palatable? it's the most _diluent_ thing upon the universal earth, and t
- 318 Lord Colambre joyfully thanked his friend for this promise."Nay, it is to indulge myself. I long to see you happy--long to behold the choice of such a heart as yours. Pray do not steal a march upon me--let me know in time. I will leave every thing--e
- 319 why wouldn't you let her be by?--Lady Berryl, do you know, he would not let me send for her, though she was the person of all others most concerned!""For that very reason, ma'am; and that Lord Colambre was quite right, I am sure you mu
- 320 "'Put on your hat, my father desires it,' says my Lord Colambre.The _ould_ lord made a sign to that purpose, but was too full to speak. 'Where's your father?' continues my young lord. 'He's very _ould_, my lord,
- 321 The little girl put out her lips, offering a second kiss, but the boy turned hastily away to rub the tears from his eyes with the back of his hand."I am not cross now: am I, Maurice?" said she."No, Victoire, I was cross myself when I said _
- 322 One day being mounted, horsemanlike, with whip in hand, upon the banister of the flight of stairs leading from the school-room to the garden, she called in a tone of triumph to her playfellows, desiring them to stand out of the way, and see her slide from
- 323 It was late in the evening, the lamps were lighting, and as Victoire crossed the Pont de Louis Seize, she stopped to look at the reflection of the lamps in the water, which appeared in succession, as they were lighted, spreading as if by magic along the r
- 324 About this time some of those discontents had broken out, which preceded the terrible days of the Revolution. As yet, most of the common people, who were honestly employed in earning their own living, neither understood what was going on, nor foresaw what
- 325 said another voice, which she knew to be that of Maurice. He produced a dark lantern, and guided Mad. de Fleury across the Champs Elysees, and across the bridge, and then through various by-streets, in perfect silence, till they arrived safely at the hous
- 326 With loud acclamations, the mob joined in the generous enthusiasm of the moment, and followed their leader peaceably out of the village.All this pa.s.sed with such rapidity as scarcely to leave the impression of reality upon the mind. As soon as the sun r
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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;
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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, "
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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!
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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