“Their love was like the lava flood  That burns in Etna’s breast of flame.” Near the end of a dark autumn-day, not many years ago, a young couple, returning from their bridal tour arrived by steamer at the old city of Norfolk; and, taking a hack, drove directly to the best inn. They were attended by the gentleman’s valet and the lady’s maid, and encumbered besides with a great amount of baggage, so that altogether their appearance was so promising that the landlord of the “Anchor” came forward in person to receive them and bow them into the best parlor. The gentleman registered himself and his party as Mr. and Mrs. Lyon Berners, of Black Hall, Virginia, and two servants. “We shall need a private parlor and chamber communicating for our own use, and a couple of bedrooms for our servants,” said Mr. Berners, as he handed his hat and cane to the bowing waiter. “They shall be prepared immediately,” answered the polite landlord. “We shall remain here only for the night, and go on in 22the morning, and should like to have two inside and two outside places secured in the Staunton stage-coach for to-morrow.” “I will send and take them at once, sir.”

Cruel As the Grave

Nevitte Southworth, Emma Dorothy Eliza

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Awful as the anguish of his parting with Claudia had been, it was not likely that Ishmael, with his strength of intellect and will, would long succumb to despair. It was not in Claudia's power to make his life quite desolate; how could it be so while Bee cared for him? Bee had loved Ishmael as long as Ishmael had loved Claudia. She had loved him when he was a boy at school; when he was a young country teacher; when he was a law-student; and she loved him now that he was a successful barrister. This love, founded in esteem and honor, had constantly deepened and strengthened. In loving Ishmael, she found mental and spiritual development; and in being near him and doing him good she found comfort and happiness. And being perfectly satisfied with the present, Bee never gave a thought to the future. That she tacitly left, where it belongs, to God. Or if at times, on perceiving Ishmael's utter obliviousness of her own kindly presence and his perfect devotion to the thankless Claudia, Bee felt a pang, she went and buried herself with domestic duties, or played with the children in the nursery, or what was better still, if it happened to be little Lu's "sleepy time" she would take her baby-sister up to her own room, sit down and fold her to her breast and rock and sing her to sleep. And certainly the clasp of those baby-arms about her neck, and the nestling of that baby-form to her bosom, drew out all the heart-ache and soothed all the agitation.

Self-Raised; Or, From the Depths

When Sybil recovered from her death-like swoon, she felt herself being borne slowly on through what seemed a narrow, tortuous underground passage; but the utter darkness, relieved only by a little gleaming red taper that moved like a star before her, prevented her from seeing more. A presentiment of impending destruction possessed her, and overwhelming horror filled her soul and held her faculties. Though her life had depended upon her speech, she could not have uttered a syllable. And no word was breathed by the mysterious beings who bore her on. Dumb as mutes at a funeral, they marched. Silent, breathless as one on the brink of death, Sybil held her senses fast and prayed. And the little red spark moved through the darkness before her, like a malignant star leading her to doom. And how long drawn out the dreadful way! minutes seemed months, and hours ages. The awful forms that held her in their hands; their monotonous tread as they bore her on; their utter silence; the deep darkness; the damp, earthy, stifling atmosphere; the agony of suspense; the horror of anticipation!—all these must have sent her into another swoon, but that her vigilant mind still held her senses alert, and she prayed.

Tried for Her Life

At nine o'clock the next morning Traverse went to the library to keep his tryst with Colonel Le Noir.  Seated in the doctor's leathern chair, with his head thrown back, his nose erect and his white and jeweled hand caressing his mustached chin, the colonel awaited the young man's communication.  With a slight bow Traverse took a chair and drew it up to the table, seated himself and, after a little hesitation, commenced, and in a modest and self-respectful manner announced that he was charged with the last verbal instructions from the doctor to the executor of his will.  Colonel Le Noir left off caressing his chin for an instant, and, with a wave of his dainty hand, silently intimated that the young man should proceed.

Capitola's Peril

In Capitola's Peril we follow the adventures of Capitola, a tomboyish and adventurous young lady living in New York during the mid-1800s. At the time this sequel was published, Emma Southworth was at the height of her popularity. Particularly appreciated by the American public for her depictions of both rural and urban life, the frequent dramatic twists and turns her characters find themselves in made Southworth's novels popular favorites for decades. This novel follows Capitola through young adulthood as she grapples with the revelations of the previous instalment. At first thought an orphan of little distinction, it was to the shock of Capitola and her close friends that the circumstances of her birth are revealed as far more distinguished. Yet despite being confronted by an apparent rescue from the tough urban upbringing in 19th century New York City, there are many more difficulties the young lady must surmount. Hugely popular in the 19th century, Southworth's novels have since fallen out of favor. At the height of their popularity, Capitola's story was adapted for the theater, with productions staged both in the USA and in London to sellout audiences. This edition brings the full, unabridged story back to audiences, presentably formatted.

Capitola's Peril - A Sequel to 'The Hidden Hand'

Literature & Fiction

Classics