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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,
- 501 "Enthusiasm well governed, of course, I mean--as one of your English n.o.blemen lately said, 'There is an enthusiasm of the head, and that is genius--there is an enthusiasm of the heart, and that is virtue--there is an enthusiasm of the temper, and that
- 502 "I was in such a fuss about her, you know, sir, that I never found out, till I got home, I had pocketed a strange fan--here it is, ma'am, if it is yours--it's worth any body's owning, I am sure."The fan was my mother's, and she was forced to be much
- 503 We accepted the invitation; Mowbray waited for to-morrow with all the eagerness of curiosity, and I with the eagerness of a still more impatient pa.s.sion.I pa.s.s over my mother's remonstrances against my _dining at the Monteneros';_ remonstrances, str
- 504 He left me in despair. I heard his carriage roll away--and then there was silence again. I stood waiting for some explanation from my mother--she saw my despair--she dreaded my anger: in broken and scarcely intelligible, contradictory phrases, she declare
- 505 A truce for this day was agreed upon. I had a few hours' time for reflection--much wanted. During this interval, which appeared to me a most painful suspense, I had leisure to reconsider my difficulties.Now that I was left to my own will entirely, should
- 506 My imagination ran over in an instant all the general's family, the gouty brother, and the white-toothed aide-de-camp."How long are they to stay at General B----'s, can you tell me, my good lady?""Dear heart! I can't tell, not I's, how they'll cut
- 507 Mr. Montenero followed me to the antechamber. "My daughter is not at home--she is taking an airing in the park. One word more before we part--one word more before we quit this painful subject," said he: "do not, my dear young friend, waste your time, y
- 508 "There goes as good a Christian!" cried the Widow Levy, holding up her forefinger, and shaking it at Mr. Montenero the moment his back was turned: "didn't I tell ye so from the first? Oh! if he isn't a jewel of a Jew!--and the daughter the same!" co
- 509 "I did not _imagine_, I only heard and believed--and now I have seen, and I disbelieve.""And is this the obstacle, the invincible obstacle?" cried I.Berenice sighed, and walked on to her room."I wish it were!" said Mr. Montenero; "but I pray you, s
- 510 "But if you have not lost your fortune, you have not lost your credit, I presume," said my mother."I have a character as a gentleman, Mrs. Harrington.""Of course.""A character for consistency, Mrs. Harrington, to preserve.""'Tis a hard thing to
- 511 "At least," said my mother, "I hope we shall know what the objection is.""It is very extraordinary, after all, that it should be on their side,"repeated my father.My mother's imagination, and my father's pride, were both strongly excited; and I le
- 512 Her ladys.h.i.+p wondered, she said, how I could, after the reasons she had given me for her being morally certain that she had left the ring with Jacob, and after Lady Anne had justly remarked that the ring could not get through her glove, entertain a ho
- 513 "The loss of her jewels, do you mean, sir?" said I: "they are found.""Jewels!" said my father; "I don't know what you are talking of.""I don't know then what you mean, sir," said I."No, to be sure you do not, how could you? for the news is bu
- 514 While Mr. Montenero and I ran over all these circ.u.mstances, understanding each other perfectly, but scarcely intelligible to either my father or mother, they looked at us both with impatience and surprise, and rejoiced when we had finished our explanati
- 515 "And I, Miss Montenero!--Let me speak, pray, Mrs. Harrington," said my father."By and by," whispered my mother; "not yet, my love.""Ay, put the ring on her finger--that's right, boy!" cried my father, as my mother drew him back.Berenice accepted
- 516 He has besides certain set phrases, which, if repeated with variations, might give the substance of what are called his speeches; some of these are common to both sides of the house, others sacred to the ministerial, or popular on the opposition benches.T
- 517 What can be done against a race of beings not capable of being touched even by ridicule? What can we hope when the infant bore and his trainers have stood against the incomparable humour of "Thinks I to myself?"In time--and as certainly as the grub turn
- 518 "_Ought_--to be sure." said Lady O'Shane; "but that is no rule for young gentlemen's conduct. I told both the young gentlemen that we were to have a dance to-night. I mentioned the hour, and begged them to be punctual.""Young men are never punctual
- 519 "Have you sent for a surgeon?" said Sir Ulick, coolly."Certainly--sent off a fellow on my own horse directly. Sir, will you come on to the gardener's house; I want you to see him, to know what you'll think. If he die, I am a murderer," repeated Ormo
- 520 But is it natural, is it possible, that this Sir Ulick O'Shane could so easily part with Harry Ormond, and thus "whistle him down the wind to prey at fortune?" For Harry Ormond, surely, if for any creature living, Sir Ulick O'Shane's affection had sh
- 521 "By all that's princely," cried he, "then, that young Harry Ormond was intended for a prince, he sits ahorse so like myself; and that horse requires a master hand to manage him."Ormond alighted.The gracious, cordial, fatherly welcome, with which he w
- 522 But he had since seen hunts in a very different style, and he could no longer admire the rabble rout.Human creatures, especially young human creatures, are apt to swing suddenly from one extreme to the other, and utterly to despise that which they had ext
- 523 What savages some men are, thought Sir Ulick: he walked to the window, and looking out, hoped that Harry Ormond would soon make his appearance."You are doing, or undoing, a great deal here, cousin Cornelius, I see, as usual.""Yes, but what I am doing,
- 524 said he: "do you think I haven't them all by heart already? and as to the lady's letter, while you live never show a lady's letter."Sir Ulick, without ceremony, took the letter, and in a moment satisfying his curiosity that it was merely a friendly n
- 525 "And the land--which you are no judge of yet, but you will--is as good as it is pretty," said King Corny, "which I am glad of for your sake, Prince Harry; I won't have you, like that _donny_ English prince or king, they nicknamed _Lackland_.--No: you
- 526 Ormond, wherever he might be in Ireland, would probably find even the priest of the parish a person who could a.s.sist him sufficiently in learning French; as most of the Irish parish priests were, at that time, educated at St. Omer's or Louvain.Father J
- 527 CHAPTER X.One day when Harry Ormond was out shooting with Moriarty Carroll, Moriarty abruptly began with, "Why then, 'tis what I am thinking, Master Harry, that King Corny don't know as much of that White Connal as I do.""What do
- 528 "Another cup of tea, aunt, if you please.""Then the sooner the better, I say," continued her father; "for when a disagreeable thing is to be done--that is, when a thing that's not quite agreeable to a young lady, such as marr
- 529 "Don't hurry, poor Sheelah--no necessity to hurry away from me," said Ormond, who had stood for a few moments like one transfixed. "'Tis for me to go--and I will go as fast and as far as you please, Dora, away from you and for eve
- 530 But his horse, who did not seem quite satisfied of his ident.i.ty with the man, would not permit him to say more, and off he went--half his hopes dispersed in empty air."I know I wish," said Cornelius O'Shane to himself, as he stood on the
- 531 "Off--how?""Out of the world clean! Poor fellow, broke his neck with that horse he could never manage--on Sunday last. I left him for dead Sunday night--found him dead Monday morning--came off straight with the news to you.""Dead!
- 532 "I will--but can't now--I am spent for this day--leave out the bottle of claret for Father Jos, and I'll get to bed--I'll see n.o.body, tell Father Jos--I'm gone to my room."The next morning O'Tara came to breakfast. Eve
- 533 Though he seemed to have talked without any design, except to amuse himself and the company in general, yet in all he had said there had been a prospective view to his object. He chose his means well, and in Mademoiselle he found, at once, a happy dupe an
- 534 CHAPTER XV.Vain of showing that he was not in the slightest degree jealous, Connal talked to Ormond in the freest manner imaginable, touching with indifference even on the very subject which Ormond, from feelings of delicacy and honour, had anxiously avoi
- 535 "I am not a man of the world, and I thank G.o.d for it," cried Ormond."Thank your G.o.d for what you please," said Connal; "but in disdaining to be a man of the world, you will not, I hope, refuse to let me think you a man of comm
- 536 "He is always expecting compliments from government," said Corny, "and always getting disappointments. Such throws as you have, Harry--Sixes!again--Well, what luck!--all over with me--It is only a hit at any rate!But what kind of man,"
- 537 Father Jos finished his punch, and went to sleep upon it.Ormond, next morning, paid his visit--Dr. Cambray was not at home; but Harry was charmed with the neatness of his house, and with the amiable and happy appearance of his family. He had never before
- 538 Sir Ulick O'Shane wrote to Harry that he was at this time _peculiarly_ engaged with affairs of his own. He said, that as to the material point of the money lodged for the commission, he would see the executrix, and do what he could to have that settl
- 539 Sir Ulick led on to the drawing-room, and presented him to a fas.h.i.+onable-looking lady, neither young nor old, nothing in any respect remarkable."Lady Norton, Harry Ormond--Harry Ormond, my niece, Lady Norton, who will make this house as pleasant
- 540 "_From you!_ Oh! no, sir, you cannot think me so ungrateful. I have not expressed, because I have not words--when I feel much, I never can say any thing; yet believe me, sir, I do feel your kindness, and all the warm fatherly interest you have this n
- 541 "But is he conceited?""Why, I do not know--his manner might appear a little conceited--but in reality he must be wonderfully humble--for he certainly values his horses far above himself--and then he is quite content if his boot-tops are adm
- 542 She was a very young widow, still in mourning for her husband, a gallant officer, who had fallen the preceding year at a siege in Flanders.Lady Millicent, as Lady Norton said, had not recovered, and she feared never would recover from the shock her health
- 543 At Castle Hermitage every thing had been prepared for his departure; and upon visiting his excellent friend at the vicarage, he found the whole family heartily interested in his welfare, and ready to a.s.sist him, by letters of introduction to the best pe
- 544 "In Dublin instead of London?" said Sir Ulick, smiling; "very patriotic, and very kind to me, for I am sure I am your first object; and depend upon it few people, ladies always excepted, will ever like your company better than I do."Th
- 545 "No, please your honour, but Peggy Sheridan that was--Peggy Carroll _that is_," said Peggy, curtsying, with a slight blush, and an arch smile."So, you have married that Moriarty at last.""I have, please your honour--he is a very h
- 546 It must be a great satisfaction to a young man who has a grain of sense, and who feels that he is falling inevitably and desperately in love, to see that all the lady's family, as well as the object of his pa.s.sion, are exactly the people whom he sh
- 547 When Ormond returned, in obedience to Mrs. M'Crule's summons, he found in the room an unusual a.s.semblage of persons--a party of morning visitors, the unm.u.f.fled contents of the car. As he entered, he bowed as courteously as possible to the w
- 548 "Or, if he be a favourite, and have friends, it is a proof that he has extraordinary merit," said Sir Herbert."He is coming to us," said Florence, who had been excessively interested for the child, and whose eyes had followed him where
- 549 "What can have become of all the people?" said Ormond: "it is not the workmen's dinner-hour, and they are gone from the work at the lighthouse; and the horses and cars are left without any one with them."He went on a few paces, an
- 550 "Was Lady Annaly ill?""Her ladys.h.i.+p had been but poorly, but was better within the last two days.""And Miss Annaly?""Wonderful better, too, sir; has got up her spirits greatly to-day.""I am very glad to hea
- 551 CHAPTER XXVII.Ormond had written to M. and Madame de Connal to announce his intentions of spending some time in Paris, and to thank them for the invitation to their house; an invitation which, however, he declined accepting; but he requested M. de Connal
- 552 And these views--what were they?--Only to win all the young man's fortune at play. A cela pres--excepting this, he was sincerely Ormond's friend, ready to do every thing possible--de faire l'impossible--to oblige and entertain him.Connal en
- 553 said M. de Connal, when the company had retired."Delightfully!" said Ormond: "the most agreeable evening I ever pa.s.sed in my life!"Then fearing that he had spoken with too much enthusiasm, and that the husband might observe that his
- 554 "With the utmost pleasure--but that I am engaged to Madame de la Brie's ball.""That's true," cried Madame de Connal, starting up--"I had forgot it--so am I this fortnight--I may as well go to the opera, too, and I can ca
- 555 It came upon him just at the right moment. It contrasted with all the dissipation he had seen, and it struck him the more strongly, because it could not possibly have been prepared as a moral lesson to make an impression. He saw the real, natural course o
- 556 At this instant the noise of some one approaching recalled them both to their senses. They were found in earnest conversation about a party of pleasure that was to be arranged for the next day. Madame de Connal made Ormond promise that he would come the n
- 557 "Mr. James," said the princ.i.p.al clerk, turning to one of the others, "be so good to hand me the letters we have of Mr. Ormond. As we have never seen the gentleman sign his name, sir, it is necessary that we should be more particular in c
- 558 "Oh! not a morning but I'm there the first thing, asking, and longing for them.""Lie back, Moriarty, in the carriage, and pull your hat over your face,"whispered Ormond: "postilions, drive on to that little cabin, with the tr
- 559 "Found!" cried Ormond, stepping hastily up to him--"where is it?""I have it safe here," said the man, opening a sort of pocket-book "here I have kept it safe till your honour came back."Ormond saw and seized upon a
- 560 Tales And Novels Vol. X.1857 HELEN VOLUME THE FIRST.CHAPTER I."There is Helen in the lime-walk," said Mrs. Collingwood to her husband, as she looked out of the window. The slight figure of a young person in deep mourning appeared between the tre
- 561 "But I should have told you more, and what n.o.body knows better than I do," cried Helen, "that Lady Davenant is a great deal more, and a great deal better than a politician. I was too young to judge, you may think, hut young as I was, I co
- 562 The first morning, however, on seeing her ladys.h.i.+p immersed in papers with a brow of care, deeply intent, Helen paused on the threshold, "I am afraid I interrupt--I am afraid I disturb you.""Come in, Helen, come in," cried Lady Dav
- 563 "How barbarous!" said Lady Davenant, "but let it pa.s.s, I am neither glad nor sorry; contempt is more dignified and safer than hatred, my dear."Now to return to Cecilia; soon after, I will not say the D'Aubigny era, but soon afte
- 564 "That you will, and there is the point that I mean. Ever since I have known you, you have always, as at this moment, coward as you are, been brave enough to speak the truth; and truth I believe to be the only real lasting foundation for friends.h.i.+
- 565 "Amusing himself, I suppose," replied Lord Davenant."I believe he forgets that I am his guardian," said the general."I am sure he cannot forget that you are his friend," said Lady Cecilia; "for he has the best heart in t
- 566 "You mean that Mr. Beauclerc is to marry Miss Clarendon," said Helen, compelled to speak."I only say it has been thought of," replied Lady Cecilia; "that is, as every thing in this way is thought of about every couple not within t
- 567 "It was from my uncle Stanley I heard it," said Helen."Superior man that uncle must have been.""I will leave you now," said Helen."Do, I see we shall like one another in time, Miss Stanley; in time,--I hate sudden friend
- 568 "Love him!" resumed the general; "with all his faults and follies, I love him as if he were my brother."At which words Lady Cecilia, with a scarcely perceptible smile, cast a furtive glance at Helen.The general called for his horses, a
- 569 The general came up the steps at this moment, rolling a note between his fingers, and looking displeased. Lady Davenant inquired if he could tell her the cause of Mr. Beauclerc's delay. He could not.Lady Cecilia exclaimed--"Very extraordinary! P
- 570 "I am proud to tell you, that at the time I married we were so poor, that I was obliged to give up many of those luxuries to which I was ent.i.tled, and to which I had been so accustomed, that the doing without them had till then hardly come within m
- 571 "'I hope it is in my power, my dear,' said he; 'I am sure you would not ask--' and there he stopped."I told him it was in his power, and that I would not ask it for any creature living, but--' He put his hand upon my lip
- 572 "Yes," said Lady Davenant, "but rashly generous; an uncommon fault in these days, when young men are in general selfishly prudent or selfishly extravagant.""I hope," said Cecilia,--"I hope Lady Blanche Forrester will not
- 573 "A cheap provision it is for a family in many cases," said Lord Davenant. "Wife, son, and daughter, Satan, are thy own.""Not in this case," cried Beauclerc; "you cannot mean I hope.""I can answer for one, the d
- 574 "How better than the general, who was present, and heard and saw the whole?" said Lady Cecilia."Yes, better, for he saw only effects, and I know causes; and I appeal to Lady Davenant,--from Lady Davenant sarcastic to Lady Davenant philosoph
- 575 said Helen, "that the same thing had happened to Marshal Turenne, that he gave the same advice to a little child."Lady Cecilia said she owed Beauclerc an acknowledgment down to her saddle-bow, for the compliment to her general, and a bow at leas
- 576 "And I promised him that I would lend him the money.""Promised! Beauclerc? Without your guardian's knowledge? Pray, how much--""Confound me, if I remember the words. The sense was, what would do the business; what would make
- 577 Suddenly turning, Beauclerc exclaimed,-- "Borne with me, do you say? 'Tis I that have to bear--and by heavens!"cried he, "more than I can--than I will--bear. Before to-morrow's sun goes down I will have the money.""From
- 578 While he was engaged in this a.n.a.lysis, he was, as his guardian thought, in great moral peril, for not a principle had he left to bless himself with; and, in any emergency, if any temptation should occur, what was to become of him? The general, who was
- 579 "Very true indeed," said Lady Cecilia; "but, Helen, listen, Granville has really found an ingenious resource."_"'By Ombres Chinoises, suppose; or a gauze curtain, as in Zemire et Azore, the audience might be made to understan
- 580 "I hear the loud voice of universal execration," said Beauclerc; "you have all abused me, but whom have I abused? What have I said?""Nothing." replied Lady Cecilia; "that is what we complain of. I could have better borne
- 581 "The first in birth, the first in fame."men distinguished in literature and science, in senatorial eloquence and statesmanlike abilities.But in this party at Clarendon Park there were more of the literary and celebrated than without the presence
- 582 "Many thanks, my good lord; and I accept your legacy for the honour--not the value of the gift, which every body must be sensible is nothing,"said Churchill, with a polite bow--"absolutely nothing. I shall never be able to make anything of
- 583 "And I am not gone, that's all. I stayed to write a letter, and am come here to look for--but I cannot find-my--""Your gloves, perhaps, doctor, you are looking for," said Churchill, going forward, and with an air of the greatest r
- 584 For so young a man as Beauclerc, yet unknown to fame, not only to challenge the combat but to obtain the victory, was intolerable; and the more so, because his young opponent appeared no ways elated or surprised, but seemed satisfied to attribute his succ
- 585 "But the very reason I can bear to look at you working, Helen,"continued Lady Cecilia, "is, because you do look up so often--so refres.h.i.+ngly. The professed _Notables_ I detest--those who never raise their eyes from their everlasting wor
- 586 Beauclerc, after despatching his letter, came up just in time to catch the sound and the sense, and took Horace aside to tell him what he had done. Horace looked vexed, and haughtily observed, that he conceived his place at Erlesmede was better calculated
- 587 Lady Davenant looked at the letter. She had nothing to do with the matter, she said; but, on second thoughts, exclaimed, "This is Granville Beauclerc's doing, I am clear!"The letter was from Count Polianski, one of the poor banished Poles;
- 588 Persons without a name Horace treated as barbarians who did not know the value of their gold; and he seemed to think that, if they chanced to possess rings and jewels, they might be plucked from them without remorse, and converted to better use by some lu
- 589 "What a relief!--I thought I should never get away!" Then, favoured by a loud bravura of Lady Katrine's, he went on--"That beauty, between you and me, is something of a bore--she--I don't mean the lady who is now screaming--she sh
- 590 Some days afterwards Lady Katrine took up a book, in which Helen's name was written in Beauclerc's hand. "_Gage d'amitie?_" said her ladys.h.i.+p; and she walked up and down the room, humming the air of an old French song; interru
- 591 She stopped under the shady tree beneath which they were pa.s.sing, and, leaning against it, she repeated, "As a friend--but, no, no, Mr.Beauclerc--no; I am not the friend you should consult--consult the general, your guardian.""I have cons
- 592 The general did not think that Lady Blanche had arrived; he was not certain, but he knew that the Comtesse de St. Cymon had arrived yesterday."Then," said Cecilia, "it would be but civil to go to see the comtesse.I will go this morning.&quo
- 593 Meanwhile, Helen perceived that, though the general continued to be as attentive and kind to her as usual, yet that there was something more careful and reserved in his manner than formerly, less of spontaneous regard, and cordial confidence. It was not t
- 594 Helen could not accept of it; she thanked Cecilia with all her heart, she felt her kindness--her generosity, but even the hitherto irresistible words, "If you love me," were urged in vain. If she had not been in actual need of money, she might h
- 595 There is no better test of the strength of affection than the ready turning of the mind to the little concerns of a friend, when preoccupied with important interests of our own. This was a proof of friends.h.i.+p, which Lady Davenant had lately given to H
- 596 Helen, who had by this time descended from the steps, stood and looked a little surprised, but said all that was properly civil, "gratified by Lady Bearcroft's good opinion-happy to be of any service,"--&c. &c."Well, then--sit ye down
- 597 "Come, come! Cecilia!" said her mother."By 'come, come!' mamma means, don't go any further, Cecilia," said she, turning to Helen. "But now, mamma, I am not clear whether you really think her your friend or your enem
- 598 Helen blushed, for she was conscious that, wrong or right, namby-pamby, little missy, or not, she had hitherto satisfied herself very comfortably with some such thought."Depend upon it, Helen," resumed Lady Davenant, "that when you are marr
- 599 The copy of that letter from an ill.u.s.trious personage had been thus obtained. The proofs now brought home to the guilty person, deprived him at once of all future means of injuring Lord Davenant. Completely in their power, he would be ready to ensure s
- 600 She had prescribed rest, and Cecilia had herself desired to be left quite alone. After dinner Lady Davenant went up again to see her, found her not so well--feverish; she would not let Helen go to her--they would talk if they were together, and she though