My Novel Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the My Novel novel. A total of 180 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : My Novel, Complete.by Edward Bulwer-Lytton.BOOK FIRST.INITIAL CHAPTER --SHOWING HOW MY N
My Novel, Complete.by Edward Bulwer-Lytton.BOOK FIRST.INITIAL CHAPTER --SHOWING HOW MY NOVEL CAME TO BE WRITTEN.Scene, the hall in UNCLE ROLAND'S tower; time, night; season, winter.MR. CAXTON is seated before a great geographical globe, which he is turni
- 101 "He is acquainted with the count's kinsman; and perhaps from him you have learned to think so highly of that kinsman?"The prince bowed, and answered as he moved away, "When one man of high honour vouches for another, he commands the be
- 102 "I forget," answered Mr. Avenel, who was far too well versed in the London scale of human dignities since his marriage, not to look back with a blush at his desire of knighthood. "No use bothering our heads now about the plumes of an arroga
- 103 "Nevertheless, you may have heard of him,--a foreigner, a Count di Peschiera.""Yes," said Lord Lansmere; "he was pointed out to me in the Park,--a handsome man for a foreigner; wears his hair properly cut; looks gentlemanlike and
- 104 It would be in vain to describe the rapid, varying, indefinable emotions that pa.s.sed through the inexperienced heart of the youthful listener as Harley thus spoke. He so moved all the springs of amaze, compa.s.sion, tender respect, sympathy, child-like
- 105 "I quite agree with your lords.h.i.+p,--there can be no truth in such a rumour. Some Englishman, hearing, perhaps, of the probable pardon of the exile, may have counted on an heiress, and spread the report in order to keep off other candidates. By yo
- 106 Satisfied so far, and knowing that it was not in Riecabocca's habits to read the newspapers, by which he might otherwise have learned of L'Estrange's arrival in London, Randal then proceeded to inquire, with much seeming interest, into the
- 107 The baron's style of living was of that character especially affected both by the most acknowledged exquisites of that day, and, it must be owned, also, by the most egregious parvenus. For it is noticeable that it is your parvenu who always comes nea
- 108 "Ah, indeed! It would be a very great addition to your consequence in the world,--not from the mere size of the estate, but from its hereditary a.s.sociations. And if you have any idea of the purchase, believe me, I'll not stand in your way.&quo
- 109 CHAPTER XV.Who has not seen, who not admired, that n.o.ble picture by Daniel Maclise, which refreshes the immortal name of my ancestor Caxton! For myself, while with national pride I heard the admiring murmurs of the foreigners who grouped around it (noth
- 110 "Very much!" Leonard sighed."I shall see her again?""Certainly," said Harley, in a tone of surprise. "How can you doubt it?And I reserve to you the pleasure of saying that you are renowned.You blush; well, I will say tha
- 111 "Alas! no; but the female heart is so capricious and fickle! You pressed it upon me, I a.s.sure you. I own that I was not loath to accept it.""Pressed it! Pressed what?""Your kiss, my child," said Harley; and then added, with
- 112 "And you don't know the lady's friends, or address?""No.""Nor who recommended her to your wife?""No.""Probably Lady Jane Horton?""It may be so."Very likely.""I will follow up
- 113 "When? Why, of course, to-morrow. Adieu! my friend. No wonder you have borne your exile so patiently,--with such a child!"He took Leonard's arm, and walked with him to the inn where he had left his horse. Leonard spoke of Violante with enth
- 114 "The friend of whom I spoke. Welcome him now for my sake, ever after for his own;" and then, scarcely allowing time for the countess's elegant and gracious response, he drew Leonard towards Helen. "Children," said he, with a touch
- 115 "She is above me now and evermore!" he thought mournfully; and the tones of his voice, when he spoke again, were changed. The appeal to renewed intimacy but made him more distant, and to that appeal itself he made no direct answer; for Mrs. Ricc
- 116 HELEN (ingenuously).--"It is hard to think I am not younger than she is."HARLEY.--"Why, my dear Helen?"HELEN.--"She is so brilliant. She talks so beautifully. And I--"HARLEY.--"And you want but the habit of talking, to d
- 117 Frank turned pale, and began to meditate dreadful bloodthirsty thoughts, of which hair-triggers and Lord's Cricket-ground formed the staple.Certainly there was apparent ground for a lover's jealousy; for Harley and Beatrice now conversed in a lo
- 118 "Certainly, madam, I never dreamed of--""That is right, my dear," interrupted Lady Lansmere, rising suddenly, and as if greatly relieved. "I could not doubt your superiority to ordinary girls of your age, with whom these matters a
- 119 "No;" answered the countess, falteringly.Harley, observing that Violante was now speaking to Helen about Leonard, and that neither was listening to him, resumed in the same low tone, "And his mother--Nora's sister--shrank from seeing m
- 120 Moreover, Harley has blazed forth again in the London world, and promises again de faire fureur; but he has always found time to spend some hours in the twenty-four at his father's house. He has continued much the same tone with Violante, and she beg
- 121 Amongst the strangers thus banished with Randal, while the division was being taken, were many young men, like himself, connected with the administration,--some by blood, some by place. Hearts beat loud in the swarming lobbies. Ominous mournful whispers w
- 122 "I know not, Randal Leslie, whether you thought me needlessly cautious, or wantonly unkind, when I told you never to expect from me more than such advance to your career as my then position could effect,--never to expect from my liberality in life, n
- 123 Baron Levy smiled, and put up his pocket-book. He saw from that moment that the victory was gained."My dear boy," said he, with the most agreeable bonhommie, "it is very natural that you should think a man would have a personal interest in
- 124 But by-and-by a still greater capitalist than d.i.c.k Avenel, finding out that Screwstown was at the mouth of a coal mine, and that d.i.c.k's profits were great, erected a still uglier edifice, with a still taller chimney.And having been brought up t
- 125 I could not venture more.""And she will accept Frank?""Had he offered to-day she would have accepted him!""It may be a great help to your fortunes, mon cher, if Frank Hazeldean marry this lady without his father's consen
- 126 No doubt it is. I should not like to be in your friend's shoes.""Shoes!" said Spendquick, with a sort of shudder; "you never saw a neater fellow, nor one, to do him justice, who takes more time in dressing than he does in general.
- 127 "Of course not. But I know your scruples; let us see if they can be conciliated. You would marry Madame di Negra; she will have L20,000 on her wedding-day. Why not arrange that, out of this sum, your antic.i.p.ative charge on the Casino property be p
- 128 "Ah, very true!" cried the squire; "that Pope sticks hard in my gizzard.I could excuse her being a foreigner, and not having, I suppose, a s.h.i.+lling in her pocket--bless her handsome face!--but to be wors.h.i.+pping images in her room in
- 129 SQUIRE.--"That's it. You see the captain went to live with one Sharpe Currie, a relation who had a great deal of money, and very little liver;--made the one, and left much of the other in Ingee, you understand. The captain had expectations of th
- 130 The captain groaned aloud."And, therefore, if one of you gentlemen will stay and dine with Mr.Higginbotham, it will greatly a.s.sist the effects of his medicine."The captain turned an imploring eye, first towards his cousin, then towards the par
- 131 It is a tolerably large const.i.tuency. My father, it is true, has considerable interest in it, but only what is called the legitimate influence of property. At all events, it is more secure than a contest for a larger town, more dignified than a seat for
- 132 THE BARON.--"Nothing, except that, if you require more money, I am still at your service."EGERTON.--"I thank you. No; I shall take the occasion of my retirement from office to reduce my establishment. I have calculated already, and provided
- 133 PESCHIERA.--"Alas! what years of suffering and exile might have been saved your father, had he but been more just to his early friend and kinsman,--nay, had he but less cruelly concealed the secret of his retreat. Fair child, I am that Giulio Franzin
- 134 Randal's heart had of late been so set upon other and more avaricious schemes, that a seat in parliament had sunk into a secondary object; nevertheless his ambitious and all-grasping nature felt a bitter pang, when he heard that Egerton thus interpos
- 135 "And in paying the debt himself, and saving her from arrest, he conferred on her the obligation which no woman of honour could accept save from an affianced husband. Poor Frank!--if sadly taken in, still we must pity and forgive him!"Suddenly, t
- 136 "And," he said inly--"and does this large erring nature, marred by its genial faults, this soul which should have filled a land, as yon orb the room, with a light that linked earth to heaven--does it pa.s.s away into the dark, and leave not
- 137 "What, Mr. Hazeldean, have you just left your brother's house? Is it possible?""Why, you advised me to go there, and I did. I scarcely knew what I was about. I am very glad I did go. Hang politics! hang the landed interest!what do I ca
- 138 Levy and the squire walked on, not arm in arm, but side by side. Randal proceeded to Egerton's house."I am glad to see you, Leslie," said the ex-minister. "What is it I have heard? My nephew, Frank Hazeldean, proposes to marry Madame d
- 139 A few words told the final parting,--words that were a picture. The long friendless highway, stretching on--on--towards the remorseless city, and the doors of home opening on the desolate thoroughfare, and the old pollard-tree beside the threshold, with t
- 140 Then Nora's anger burst forth. She believe such a stain on Audley's honour!"But where was the honour when he betrayed his friend? Did you not know that he was entrusted by Lord L'Estrange to plead for him. How did he fulfil the trust?&
- 141 CHAPTER XVII.When the scenes in some long diorama pa.s.s solemnly before us, there is sometimes one solitary object, contrasting, perhaps, the view of stately cities or the march of a mighty river, that halts on the eye for a moment, and then glides away,
- 142 "Squibs, sir!" cried Mark, indignantly."Burns wrote squibs," said the curate, mildly.Mark made no answer, but again knocked at the door.This time, a man, whose face, even seen by the starlight, was much flushed, presented himself at th
- 143 "Hold!" exclaimed Harley, with a terrible burst of pa.s.sion,--"you kill her twice to me if you say that! I can still feel that she lives--lives here, in my heart--while I dream that she loved me--or, at least, that no other lip ever knew t
- 144 d.i.c.k hastily withdrew his arm from Leonard's."Serpent's tooth!" he said falteringly, "so it is you, whom I warmed at my hearth, who are to ruin Richard Avenel?""No; but to save him! Come into the City and look at my m
- 145 "Dear, dear!" cried Mrs. Caxton, "I hope not!""Pooh, brother," said the captain, "we have had enough of the tomb in the history of poor Nora. The whole story grows out of a grave, and if to a grave it must return--if, Pi
- 146 "Alas! I know," said he, "that Peschiera has discovered your retreat, and surely she would be far less safe here than where she is now!""But, diavolo! you say the man has seen her where she is now, in spite of all Lady Lansmere�
- 147 The countess read, and her lip curled in disdain. "Strange!" said she, half to herself."Strange!" said Randal, "that a man like your correspondent should fear one like the Count di Peschiera. Is that it?""Sir," said
- 148 "Any wish of yours is a law to me," answered Harley, gallantly. "You wish your father to see her? I will try and persuade him to do so. Now, in return, confide to me your secret. What is your object?""Leave to return to my Italy.
- 149 He offers to you rank, wealth, your father's pardon and recall. If I could remove the objections which your father entertains, prove that the count has less wronged him than he deems, would you still reject the rank and the wealth and the hand of Giu
- 150 Harley went straight to Peschiera's hotel. He was told that the count had walked out with Mr. Frank Hazeldean and some other gentlemen who had breakfasted with him. He had left word, in case any one called, that he had gone to Tattersall's to lo
- 151 Violante eluded the clasp that would have profaned her, and darting across the room, opened the door, and closed it hastily behind her.Beatrice clung firmly to the count to detain him from pursuit. But just without the door, close, as if listening to what
- 152 "Englishman, I never loved you; this heart was dead to you, and it will be dead to all else forever. Farewell. You will forget me sooner than you think for,--sooner than I shall forget you, as a friend, as a brother--if brothers had natures as tender
- 153 "We arrived at the house. I dismounted to open the carriage-door. The count gave me one look. 'Beppo says you have known the sea.'"'Excellency, yes. I am a Genoese.'"'Ha! how is that? Beppo is a Lombard.'--Admi
- 154 "Mr. Avenel," said Harley, slowly, recovering himself from the abstraction with which he had listened to d.i.c.k's earlier sentences, "I fear I do not quite understand you; but I have no other interest in the next election for the boro
- 155 "If knowledge be power," soliloquized Randal, "ability is certainly good luck, as Miss Edgeworth shows in that story of Murad the Unlucky, which I read at Eton; very clever story it is, too. So nothing comes amiss to me. Violante's esc
- 156 RANDAL (taking aside the parson).--"He was anxious to get back to Mrs.Hazeldean, who was naturally very uneasy about her son and this foolish marriage; but I am happy to tell you that that marriage is effectually and permanently broken off."MR.
- 157 "Feel nothing here but duty!" cried Helen, drawing from his clasp both her hands, and placing them firmly on her breast."Miss Digby," said Leonard, after a short pause of bitter reflection, in which he wronged, while he thought to divi
- 158 "My dear Harley, shake hands; anything you please. You know how I have wished to see you come forward, and take that part in life which becomes your birth.""Ah, you think I have sadly wasted my existence hitherto.""To be frank wit
- 159 "I did, my Lord.""And he?""Denied your guilt; but still, a man of honour so nice, of heart so feeling, could not feign readily. His denial did not deceive me.""Honest man!" said Harley; and his hand griped at the br
- 160 "Hard! Nothing so easy. Allow me to tender to you the same explanations which satisfied one whom philosophy itself has made as open to truth as he is clear-sighted to imposture.""Another time, Mr. Leslie. If your bride's father be sati
- 161 The baron looked greatly amazed at his unexpected visitor; but he got up, handed a chair to my Lord with a low bow. "This is an honour," said he."You have a charming abode here," said Lord L'Estrange, looking round."Very fine bronzes,--excellent tas
- 162 CHAPTER XIX.The scene is at Lansmere Park,--a s.p.a.cious pile, commenced in the reign of Charles II.; enlarged and altered in the reign of Anne. Brilliant interval in the History of our National Manners, when even the courtier dreaded to be dull, and Sir
- 163 HARLEY.--"It is vanity that stirs the poet to toil,--if toil the wayward chase of his own chimeras can be called. Ambition is a more masculine pa.s.sion."Helen shook her head gently, but made no answer.HARLEY.--"If I utter a word that profanes one of y
- 164 EGERTON.--"You are too severe upon Randal Leslie. He is ambitious, worldly, has no surplus of affection at the command of his heart--"HARLEY.--"Is it Randal Leslie you describe?"EGERTON (with a languid smile).--"Yes, you see I do not flatter. But he
- 165 "I care for nothing on earth like those old lands of my forefathers,"said Randal, with unusual vehemence; "I reverence so little amongst the living, and I do reverence the dead. And my marriage will take place so soon; and the dower would so amply cove
- 166 The chiefs of the Blue party went in state from Lansmere Park; the two candidates in open carriages, each attended with his proposer and seconder. Other carriages were devoted to Harley and Levy, and the princ.i.p.al members of the Committee. Riccabocca w
- 167 In private life alone we do well to be on our guard against these children of fancy, for they so devote to the Muse all their treasury of sentiment, that we can no more expect them to waste a thought on the plain duties of men, than we can expect the spen
- 168 "Mr. Dale! he should have come to-morrow. Say that I did not expect him to-day; that I am unfortunately engaged till dinner, which will be earlier than usual. Show him into his room; he will have but little time to change his dress. By the way, Mr. Egert
- 169 "Leave me," said Audley, in a faint voice. "Dale! the man who suspected Harley, who called on me in London, spoke of a child,--my child,--and sent me to find but another grave! He closeted with Harley,--he!"Audley sank back on his chair, and literally
- 170 There was a man whom I singled out of the world as more than a brother.In the romance of my boyhood I saw one who dazzled my fancy, captivated my heart. It was a dream of Beauty breathed into waking life. I loved,--I believed myself beloved. I confided al
- 171 "It is false! false!" exclaimed Egerton, all his stateliness and all his energy restored to him. "I forbid you to speak thus to me. I forbid you by one word to sully the memory of my lawful wife!""Ah!" said Harley, startled.
- 172 RANDAL.--"To be sure I do."d.i.c.k.--"When Emanuel Trout comes into the booth, you will know how the election turns. As he votes, all the Hundred and Fifty will vote. Now I must go back. Good-night."You'll not forget that my expen
- 173 HARLEY (seriously).--"My levity is but lip-deep, my dear Mr. Dale. But sometimes the froth on the wave shows the change in the tide."The parson looked at him earnestly, and then seized him by both hands with holy gladness and affection."Ret
- 174 "No. Pray tell him to rest and nurse himself. I should have liked him to witness his own triumph,--that is all. Say I will represent him at the polling-place. Gentlemen, are you ready? We will go on."The polling booth was erected in the centre o
- 175 Randal looked, and right up the market-place, followed by an immense throng, moved, high over the heads of all, a Yellow Board, that seemed marching through the air, cometlike:-- Two o'clock p.m.RESIGNATION OF FAIRFIELD.YELLOWS!Vote For AVENEL AND EG
- 176 The saloon formed the centre room of the suite of apartments. From its size, it was rarely used save on state occasions. It had the chilly and formal aspect of rooms reserved for ceremony.Riccabocca, Violante, Helen, Mr. Dale, Squire Hazeldean, and Lord L
- 179 "But you have not done?" said Augustine Caxton.PISISTRATUS.--"What remains to do?"MR. CAXTON.--"What! why, the Final Chapter!--the last news you can give us of those whom you have introduced to our liking or dislike."PISISTRA
- 180 Beatrice di Negra lived for some years after her brother's death in strict seclusion, lodging within a convent, though she did not take the veil, as she at first proposed. In fact, the more she saw of the sisterhood, the more she found that human reg
- 177 "Scornfully--yes. And," continued Randal, advancing a step, "since the supposition has been made, I demand from Lord L'Estrange, as his equal (for all gentlemen are equals where honour is to be defended at the cost of life), either instant retractatio
- 178 "I could not help it,--you would have done the same by me. You see you have failed in everything; and when a man fails completely, we both agreed that we must give him up altogether."Randal said not a word, and the baron marked his shadow fall o