The Forsyte Saga

Updated: 2024-4-18

Status: Completed

The Forsyte Saga Novel Chapters

List of most recent chapters published for the The Forsyte Saga novel. A total of 177 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024

Latest Release: Chapter 1 : The Forsyte Saga.by John Galsworthy.PREFACE: _"The Forsyte Saga" was the t.i.t
The Forsyte Saga.by John Galsworthy.PREFACE: _"The Forsyte Saga" was the t.i.tle originally destined for that part of it which is called "The Man of Property"; and to adopt it for the collected chronicles of the Forsyte family has indulged the Forsyte

1 The Forsyte Saga.by John Galsworthy.PREFACE: _"The Forsyte Saga" was the t.i.tle originally destined for that part of it which is called "The Man of Property"; and to adopt it for the collected chronicles of the Forsyte family has indulged the Forsyte 2024-4-23
2 Each brother wore an air of aggravation as he looked at the other two, knowing by experience that they would try to eclipse his ailments."We were just saying," said James, "that you don't get any thinner."Swithin protruded his pale round eyes with th 2024-4-23
3 The stream which worked the mill came bubbling down in a dozen rivulets, and pigs were hunting round that estuary. A haze hovered over the prospect. Down this hollow, with their feet deep in the mud and their faces towards the sea, it appeared that the pr 2024-4-23
4 There was little sentimentality about the Forsytes. In that great London, which they had conquered and become merged in, what time had they to be sentimental?CHAPTER II--OLD JOLYON GOES TO THE OPERA At five o'clock the following day old Jolyon sat alone, 2024-4-23
5 Over his cup of coffee, he bethought him that he would go to the opera.In the Times, therefore--he had a distrust of other papers--he read the announcement for the evening. It was 'Fidelio.'Mercifully not one of those new-fangled German pantomimes by th 2024-4-23
6 And as though in the habit of taking each other home every night they went out and stepped into the cab.To old Jolyon it seemed that his son had grown. 'More of a man altogether,' was his comment. Over the natural amiability of that son's face had come 2024-4-23
7 He stood at the sideboard in a white waistcoat with large gold and onyx b.u.t.tons, watching his valet screw the necks of three champagne bottles deeper into ice-pails. Between the points of his stand-up collar, which--though it hurt him to move--he would 2024-4-23
8 Swithin moved his arm, and said in a rumbling voice: "Dinner, now--dinner!"He took in Irene, on the ground that he had not entertained her since she was a bride. June was the portion of Bosinney, who was placed between Irene and his fiancee. On the othe 2024-4-23
9 Why were her own relations so rich, and Phil never knew where the money was coming from for to-morrow's tobacco. Why couldn't they do something for him? But they were so selfish. Why couldn't they build country-houses? She had all that naive dogmatism 2024-4-23
10 CHAPTER IV--PROJECTION OF THE HOUSE Soames Forsyte walked out of his green-painted front door three days after the dinner at Swithin's, and looking back from across the Square, confirmed his impression that the house wanted painting.He had left his wife 2024-4-23
11 "What do you pay for an office like this?" said he. "Fifty too much," replied Bosinney. This answer impressed Soames favourably. "I suppose it is dear," he said. "Ill call for you--on Sunday about eleven." The following Sunday therefore he called 2024-4-23
12 "For about eight thousand I could build you a palace."Soames had become very pale--a struggle was going on within him. He dropped his eyes, and said stubbornly: "I can't afford it."And slowly, with his mousing walk, he led the way back to the first s 2024-4-23
13 "Who told you?""June.""How did she know?"Irene did not answer. Baffled and uncomfortable, he said: "It's a fine thing for Bosinney, it'll be the making of him. I suppose she's told you all about it?""Yes."There was another pause, and then Soa 2024-4-23
14 One of his tenants had lately shown a disposition to be behind-hand in his rent, and it had become a grave question whether he had not better turn him out at once, and so run the risk of not re-letting before Christmas. Swithin had just been let in very b 2024-4-23
15 The brooding look darkened on her face; he grew nervous."Well, I know nothing about it," he said; "n.o.body tells me anything.Soames ought to be able to take care of himself. If he can't take care of himself he mustn't look to me--that's all."Bitin 2024-4-23
16 Her shoulders were shaking with sobs. This pa.s.sion of hers for suffering was mysterious to him. He had been through a hundred of these moods; how he had survived them he never knew, for he could never believe they were moods, and that the last hour of h 2024-4-23
17 Of Bosinney himself Baynes would speak warmly, with a certain compa.s.sion: "He's got a streak of his father's Byronism. Why, look at the way he threw up his chances when he left my office; going off like that for six months with a knapsack, and all fo 2024-4-23
18 Soames, the unconscious ironist, fixed his gaze on Bosinney's tie, which was far from being in the perpendicular; he was unshaven too, and his dress not remarkable for order. Architecture appeared to have exhausted his regularity."Won't it look like a 2024-4-23
19 Aunts Juley and Hester were overwhelmed by the shock. They had never imagined such an ending. Indeed, it is doubtful whether they had ever realized that an ending was bound to come. Secretly they felt it unreasonable of Ann to have left them like this wit 2024-4-23
20 SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF ANN FORSYTE, THE DAUGHTER OF THE ABOVE JOLYON AND ANN FORSYTE, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 27TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1886, AGED EIGHTY-SEVEN YEARS AND FOUR DAYS Soon perhaps, someone else would be wanting an inscription. It was strange 2024-4-23
21 Bosinney was waiting for him at the door; and on his rugged, good-looking, face was a queer, yearning, yet happy look, as though he too saw a promise of bliss in the spring sky, sniffed a coming happiness in the spring air. Soames looked at him waiting th 2024-4-23
22 CHAPTER II--JUNE'S TREAT Dinner began in silence; the women facing one another, and the men.In silence the soup was finished--excellent, if a little thick; and fish was brought. In silence it was handed.Bosinney ventured: "It's the first spring day."I 2024-4-23
23 Those countless figures, going their ways under the lamps and the moving-sky, had one and all received some restless blessing from the stir of spring. And one and all, like those clubmen with their opened coats, had shed something of caste, and creed, and 2024-4-23
24 'How the b.u.t.tons on his blue frock shone, tra-la-la! How he carolled and he sang, like a bird!...'Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and con 2024-4-23
25 A chair was brought him from Bosinney's tent."You go down," he said blandly; "you two! I'll sit here and look at the view."He sat down by the oak tree, in the sun; square and upright, with one hand stretched out, resting on the n.o.b of his cane, th 2024-4-23
26 "When"--Swithin described it at Timothy's--"I pulled 'em up, there she was as cool as myself. G.o.d bless my soul! she behaved as if she didn't care whether she broke her neck or not! What was it she said: 'I don't care if I never get home?" Lean 2024-4-23
27 In this position Bosinney surprised him.James brought his eyes down from whatever bird's-nest they had been looking for in the sky to Bosinney's face, on which was a kind of humorous scorn."How do you do, Mr. Forsyte? Come down to see for yourself?"It 2024-4-23
28 Looking at the ground he held out his hand, crossed the palm of it with Bosinney's, and taking his umbrella just above the silk, walked away along the terrace.Before he turned the corner he glanced back, and saw Bosinney following him slowly--'slinking 2024-4-23
29 On his right hand, always a little larger than life, sat the Secretary, 'Down-by-the-starn' Hemmings; an all-too-sad sadness beaming in his fine eyes; his iron-grey beard, in mourning like the rest of him, giving the feeling of an all-too-black tie behi 2024-4-23
30 "I now move, 'That the report and accounts for the year 1886 be received and adopted.' You second that? Those in favour signify the same in the usual way. Contrary--no. Carried. The next business, gentlemen...."Soames smiled. Certainly Uncle Jolyon ha 2024-4-23
31 'If you think that in such a delicate matter as decoration I can bind myself to the exact pound, I am afraid you are mistaken. I can see that you are tired of the arrangement, and of me, and I had better, therefore, resign.'Yours faithfully, 'PHILIP BA 2024-4-23
32 Old Jolyon gave him a dubious look: "I can't tell," he said; "they say so!""Then, it's probably true," remarked young Jolyon unexpectedly; "and I suppose they've told you who she is?""Yes," said old Jolyon, "Soames's wife!"Young Jolyon did 2024-4-23
33 Among the younger generation the matter was wrapped in a discretion proper. They did not want to hurt the feelings of their elders, nor to feel ridiculous themselves; they simply used the crest...."No," said Swithin, "he had had an opportunity of seein 2024-4-23
34 Then Mrs. Small, twisting her fingers and gazing round with 'pathetic calm', asked: "And how is dear June?"A twinkle of humour shot through the sternness of old Jolyon's eyes.Extraordinary old woman, Juley! No one quite like her for saying the wrong 2024-4-23
35 Three or four of Francie's lovers now appeared, one after the other; she had made each promise to come early. They were all clean-shaven and sprightly, with that peculiar kind of young-man sprightliness which had recently invaded Kensington; they did not 2024-4-23
36 To her he said nothing; only when they were once more in the carriage, which by some fortunate chance had lingered near the door, he asked her: "What is it, my darling?"Feeling her whole slender body shaken by sobs, he was terribly alarmed.She must have 2024-4-23
37 Informed that the meet was at the Crown and Sceptre, and that he would have to drive with his wife, he turned sulky, and said it was d---d slow!At seven o'clock they started, Dartie offering to bet the driver half-a-crown he didn't do it in the three-qu 2024-4-23
38 "Go on!" he heard the Buccaneer cry. The cabman flicked his horse. It sprang forward.Dartie stood for a moment dumbfounded; then, das.h.i.+ng at the cab where his wife sat, he scrambled in."Drive on!" he shouted to the driver, "and don't you lose si 2024-4-23
39 "It'll be finished in about a week.""I congratulate you!""Thanks--I don't know that it's much of a subject for congratulation.""No?" queried young Jolyon; "I should have thought you'd be glad to get a long job like that off your hands; but I 2024-4-23
40 'The core of it all,' he thought, 'is property, but there are many people who would not like it put that way. To them it is "the sanct.i.ty of the marriage tie"; but the sanct.i.ty of the marriage tie is dependent on the sanct.i.ty of the family, and 2024-4-23
41 "Hallo!" he said: "it's our friend the Buccaneer!"And he sat still, with his sneering smile, conscious that Irene was sitting still, and smiling too."Will she bow to him?" he thought.But she made no sign.Bosinney reached the end of the rails, and c 2024-4-23
42 "Now, don't you go tiring yourself, my darling," he said, and took a cab on into the city.June went first to a back-street in Paddington, where Mrs. Smeech, her 'lame duck,' lived--an aged person, connected with the charring interest; but after half 2024-4-23
43 And June stood motionless, looking after him.CHAPTER XIII--PERFECTION OF THE HOUSE 'One mockturtle, clear; one oxtail; two gla.s.ses of port.'In the upper room at French's, where a Forsyte could still get heavy English food, James and his son were sitt 2024-4-23
44 Irene's face changed. "I don't know," she said; "you should ask her.""Does she write to you?""No.""How's that?" said James. "I thought you and she were such great friends."Irene turned on him. "Again," she said, "you should ask her!""W 2024-4-23
45 "Are you carrying on a flirtation with Bosinney?""No, I am not!"Her eyes met his, and he looked away. He neither believed nor disbelieved her, but he knew that he had made a mistake in asking; he never had known, never would know, what she was thinkin 2024-4-23
46 She put up her hand and smoothed back the curl. She was breathing fast and deep, as though she had been running, and with every breath perfume seemed to come from her hair, and from her body, like perfume from an opening flower."I don't like that blouse 2024-4-23
47 It was a habit with him to tell her the doings of his day: how such and such clients had called; how he had arranged a mortgage for Parkes; how that long-standing suit of Fryer v. Forsyte was getting on, which, arising in the preternaturally careful dispo 2024-4-23
48 Inspired by some dumb stirring within them of the feelings of gentlemen, they turned at this painful moment to Mrs. MacAnder, and said in precisely the same voice: "Have you seen the...?"Such was her surprise at being thus addressed that she put down he 2024-4-23
49 "You see, dear?""I do not," she answered in her staccato voice, that still had a little foreign accent; "your style has originality."The critic looked at her, smiled' deferentially, and said no more. Like everyone else, he knew their history.The wo 2024-4-23
50 The sudden flush that rose on the girl's intent young face--she must have seen spring up before her a great hope--the sudden sweetness of her smile, often came back to Lady Baynes in after years (Baynes was knighted when he built that public Museum of Ar 2024-4-23
51 The morning after a certain night on which Soames at last a.s.serted his rights and acted like a man, he breakfasted alone.He breakfasted by gaslight, the fog of late November wrapping the town as in some monstrous blanket till the trees of the Square eve 2024-4-23
52 Bosinney, who wore a slouch hat, stopped in front of him, spun around, and rushed back towards the carriage he had just left. He was too late.A porter caught him by the coat; the train was already moving on.George's practised glance caught sight of the f 2024-4-23
53 "When's your case coming on? I suppose it'll be on directly. I shouldn't wonder if this Bosinney'd say anything; I should think he'd have to.He'll go bankrupt if it goes against him." He took a large bite at his sandwich and a mouthful of sherry. 2024-4-23
54 "In my judgment the plaintiff is ent.i.tled to recover this sum from the defendant."It has been sought, on behalf of the defendant, to show that no limit of expenditure was fixed or intended to be fixed by this correspondence.If this were so, I can find 2024-4-23
55 Solomon Thornworthy. Lady Bellis. Miss Hermione Bellis. Miss Winifred Bellis. Miss Ella Bellis.Who the devil were all these people? He seemed to have forgotten all familiar things. The words 'no message--a trunk, and a bag,' played a hide-and-seek in hi 2024-4-23
56 Once more Soames felt his mother stroking his hand, in token of her approval, and as though repeating some form of sacred oath, he muttered between his teeth: "I will!"All three went down to the drawing-room together. There, were gathered the three girl 2024-4-23
57 And like some uneasy spirit, she began swiftly walking to and fro.Suddenly she broke out: "I was here first. We can't both stay here together!"On Irene's face a smile wandered up, and died out like a flicker of firelight. She did not move. And then it 2024-4-23
58 Again June answered: "No; he was not there. I waited, but he did not come."Old Jolyon made a movement of relief. She had risen and looked down at him; so slight, and light, and young, but so fixed, and so determined; and disturbed, vexed, as he was, he 2024-4-23
59 "Well," said old Jolyon, "if, he thinks I'm going to pay a fancy price, he's mistaken. I've not got the money to throw away that he seems to have. Let him try and sell it at a forced sale, and see what he'll get.It's not every man's house, I hear 2024-4-23
60 A tear started up and wetted his eyelash. "Well," he said, "I'm no good here. I'd better be going. You'll come to me as soon as you can, Jo,"and with his head bowed he went away.It was young Jolyon's turn to take his stand beside the dead man, rou 2024-4-23
61 Then he cried, contradicting what he had not yet spoken, "No; stay there!" And turning away from her, he sat down in his accustomed chair on the other side of the hearth.They sat in silence.And Soames thought: 'Why is all this? Why should I suffer so? 2024-4-23
62 Goodness only knew what she had been doing since. That sight of her face--a side view--in the row in front, had been literally the only reminder these three years that she was still alive. No one ever spoke of her. And yet Jo had told him something once-- 2024-4-23
63 Irene was standing by the piano; she had taken off her hat and a lace scarf she had been wearing, so that her gold-coloured hair was visible, and the pallor of her neck. In her grey frock she made a pretty picture for old Jolyon, against the rosewood of t 2024-4-23
64 She slipped her hand under his arm: "Has June forgiven me, Uncle Jolyon?"He answered gently: "Yes--yes; of course, why not?""And have you?""I? I forgave you as soon as I saw how the land really lay." And perhaps he had; his instinct had always bee 2024-4-23
65 III The little spirits of the past which throng an old man's days had never pushed their faces up to his so seldom as in the seventy hours elapsing before Sunday came. The spirit of the future, with the charm of the unknown, put up her lips instead. Old 2024-4-23
66 "I would like, very much; but there is--June. When are they coming back?"Old Jolyon frowned. "Not till the middle of next month. What does that matter?""You said June had forgiven me; but she could never forget, Uncle Jolyon."Forget! She must forget 2024-4-23
67 But they did not go to the opera after all, for in getting up from dinner the dizziness came over him again, and she insisted on his staying quiet and going to bed early. When he parted from her at the door of the hotel, having paid the cabman to drive he 2024-4-23
68 "My love to you, "JOLYON FORSYTE."'Bitter,' he thought, 'but I can't help it. I'm tired.' He sealed and dropped it into the box for the evening post, and hearing it fall to the bottom, thought: 'There goes all I've looked forward to!'That even 2024-4-23
69 Soames smiled a little vindictively, and said: "Yes. Good-bye. Remember me to Uncle Timothy!" And, leaving a cold kiss on each forehead, whose wrinkles seemed to try and cling to his lips as if longing to be kissed away, he left them looking brightly af 2024-4-23
70 He went out with his head up and his hat c.o.c.ked joyously, sniffing the air of Piccadilly like a young hound loosed into covert. Jolly good biz!After that mouldy old slow hole down there!He found his 'tutor,' not indeed at the Oxford and Cambridge, bu 2024-4-23
71 "Remember me to Winifred.... You'll enter her for the Divorce Stakes straight off if you ask me."Soames took a sidelong look back at him from the doorway. George had seated himself again and was staring before him; he looked big and lonely in those bla 2024-4-23
72 And, looking at those lips, Soames said: "Are you happy over here, or do you want to go back to France?""Oh, I like London. Paris, of course. But London is better than Orleans, and the English country is so beautiful. I have been to Richmond last Sunda 2024-4-23
73 "She can have mine," she said comfortably. "I never wear them. She'd better get a divorce.""There you go!" said James. "Divorce! We've never had a divorce in the family. Where's Soames?""He'll be in directly.""No, he won't," said James, a 2024-4-23
74 "B.N.C.," replied Val."Jolly's at the 'House,' but he'll be delighted to look you up.""Thanks awfully.""Holly's in--if you could put up with a female relation, she'd show you round. You'll find her in the hall if you go through the curtains. 2024-4-23
75 "Oh! I forgot; you don't.""What are they?""Oh! fearfully careful; not sportsmen a bit. Look at Uncle Soames!""I'd like to," said Holly.Val resisted a desire to run his arm through hers. "Oh! no," he said, "let's go out. You'll see him quite 2024-4-23
76 "Thanks, very shaky.""We're a wonderful family, aren't we? The other day I was calculating the average age of the ten old Forsytes from my father's family Bible.I make it eighty-four already, and five still living. They ought to beat the record;" a 2024-4-23
77 "I should love." In that simple answer she seemed to sum up the whole philosophy of one on whom the world had turned its back."Well! Is there anything you would like me to say to him?""Only that I'm sorry he's not free. He had his chance once. I do 2024-4-23
78 "Good-bye," returned Soames; and Jolyon went out trying to understand the look, half-startled, half-menacing, on his cousin's face. He sought Waterloo Station in a disturbed frame of mind, as though the skin of his moral being had been sc.r 2024-4-23
79 "Can't tell--not for months. We must get rest.i.tution first."'What the deuce is that?' thought Val. 'What silly brutes lawyers are!Not for months! I know one thing: I'm not going to dine in!' And he said: "Awf 2024-4-23
80 "Is he?" muttered Val. "But what did become of Aunt Irene? I remember she was jolly good-looking.""She--er...." said Emily, "behaved very badly. We don't talk about it.""Well, I don't want everybody a 2024-4-23
81 Soames walked in. He noted mechanically that all was still silvery, and that the upright piano was of satinwood. She had risen and stood recoiled against it; her hand, placed on the keys as if groping for support, had struck a sudden discord, held for a m 2024-4-23
82 CHAPTER XII--ON FORSYTE 'CHANGE Soames belonged to two clubs, 'The Connoisseurs,' which he put on his cards and seldom visited, and 'The Remove,' which he did not put on his cards and frequented. He had joined this Liberal inst.i. 2024-4-23
83 The following afternoon witnessed the greatest crowd Timothy's had known for many a year. On national occasions, such as this, it was, indeed, almost impossible to avoid going there. Not that there was any danger or rather only just enough to make it 2024-4-23
84 "I thought I'd come and see for myself. What have they answered Kruger?"Soames took out an evening paper, and read the headline."'Instant action by our Government--state of war existing!'""Ah!" said James, and 2024-4-23
85 In the train he put her through a sort of catechism as to what she did with her days.Made her dresses, shopped, visited a hospital, played her piano, translated from the French.She had regular work from a publisher, it seemed, which supplemented her incom 2024-4-23
86 "Another little cup of very special coffee, monsieur; a liqueur, Grand Marnier?" and Madame Lamotte rose to order these delicacies.Alone with Annette Soames said, "Well, Annette?" with a defensive little smile about his lips.The girl b 2024-4-23
87 Jolly looked a little scornful."What do you do with yourself? Row?""No--ride, and drive about. I'm going to play polo next term, if I can get my granddad to stump up.""That's old Uncle James, isn't it? What's h 2024-4-23
88 The Rainbow, distinguished, as only an Oxford hostel can be, for lack of modernity, provided one small oak-panelled private sitting-room, in which Holly sat to receive, white-frocked, shy, and alone, when the only guest arrived. Rather as one would touch 2024-4-23
89 "Oh! No-no!"Soames pressed the clasp; the seven stones gleamed out on the pale grey velvet."Why not?" he said. "Just as a sign that you don't bear me ill-feeling any longer.""I couldn't."Soames took it out 2024-4-23
90 Jolyon found June waiting on the platform at Paddington. She had received his telegram while at breakfast. Her abode--a studio and two bedrooms in a St. John's Wood garden--had been selected by her for the complete independence which it guaranteed. U 2024-4-23
91 June said suddenly: "Well, I shall go to Soames and tell him he must leave you alone. What does he want at his age?""A child. It's not unnatural""A child!" cried June scornfully. "Of course! To leave his money to. I 2024-4-23
92 "Yes," he said; "the very woman."Soames had seated himself and crossed his legs--nothing but a faint flush, which might have been his normal complexion, betrayed him."Send her off at once, then, to watch a Mrs. Irene Heron of Flat 2024-4-23
93 Mr. Bellby seemed to sniff the air like a hound."We won't be on till the middle of December. We've no need to give um more rope than that.""No," said Soames, "why should my sister be incommoded by his choosing to go...&q 2024-4-23
94 "Well--this time only."And they had gone hand in hand.Here--where the Waverley novels and Byron's works and Gibbon's Roman Empire and Humboldt's Cosmos, and the bronzes on the mantelpiece, and that masterpiece of the oily school, 2024-4-23
95 She read the telegram, and he heard her sigh.That sigh, too, was for him! His position was really cruel! To be loyal to his son he must just shake her hand and go. To be loyal to the feeling in his heart he must at least tell her what that feeling was.Cou 2024-4-23
96 'Old brute!' thought Val, flus.h.i.+ng deeper; 'you're not paid to make jokes!'"'You will not get the chance to insult me again in my own house. I am leaving the country to-morrow. It's played out'--an expressi 2024-4-23
97 "No; but I expect he will be soon.""Then!" cried Val, and diving forward, he seized her hand. She tried to withdraw it, failed, gave up the attempt, and looked at him wistfully."First of all," he said, "I want to tell yo 2024-4-23
98 And they both looked at Holly. She had recoiled against the bookshelves reaching to the ceiling; her dark head leaned against Gibbon's Roman Empire, her eyes in a sort of soft grey agony were fixed on Val. And he, who had not much gift of insight, ha 2024-4-23
99 "Joined the--rubbis.h.!.+" came from James, tremulously loud. "You can't see two yards before your nose. He--he'll have to go out there. Why! he'll be fighting before he knows where he is."Val saw Imogen's eyes admi 2024-4-23
100 "He won't be like me, then, Dad; I'm beastly selfish.""No, my dear, that you clearly are not." Jolly shook his head, and they dug again."Strange life a dog's," said Jolyon suddenly: "The only four-footer w 2024-4-23