Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1837 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER X. NATURE OUTRAGED BY THE MAN WITHOUT A HEART. Spawn, weeds and filth, a leprous scum Made the running rivulet thick and dumb. And at its outlet flags huge as stake Damm'd it up with roots knotted like water-snakes. The sensitive plant like one forbid Wept... Shelley. It was nearly five o'clock when I reached home, six was the dinner hour appointed, and my brother Walter had not yet arrived. This latter circumstance created not a little surprise; for it had been positively ascertained on the preceding day that the mail changed horses at the Globe Inn, Merryvale, exactly ten minutes before four; and as the landlord of the said inn had received orders to have a chaise in readiness, awaiting the arrival of the mail, there was no reason on earth why "the Captain," as my mother called him, should not have made his appearance at Meadowbank, fifteen minutes after four at the latest, allowing for the turnpike and the bill. "Perhaps he has been taken ill," said my mother, whose maternal solicitude called up visions of scarlet fever, small pox, and cholera morbus. "Or may be the chaise has broken down," said Fanny, which caused my brother Arthur to laugh aloud, and to cry " What fun if it has!" "What's that?" asked my sister Fanny, lifting up her streaming eyes from the second volume of Vivian Grey, "What's that about Walter Doveton? Perhaps he has been shot in a duel." "More likely he can't get a place in the coach, ' said Arthur, making the most rational conjecture that had been hazarded by any one of the party. "It's no use guessing," continued my mother; "it is plain that he's not here, and it's time for me to go and dress. How provoking!--a quarter past five, and no Walter. If we put off dinner it will be spoiled, and the cook from...
