
BOOK 1. I. ACROSS LONDON BRIDGE II. THROUGH THE VAGUE TO THE INFINITELY LITTLE III. OLD VEUVE IV. THE SECOND BOTTLE V. THE LONDON WALK WESTWARD VI. NATALY VII. BETWEEN A GENERAL MAN OF THE WORLD AND A PROFESSIONAL VIII. SOME FAMILIAR GUESTS. IX. AN INSPECTION OF LAKELANDS X. SKEPSEY IN MOTION XI. WHEREIN WE BEHOLD THE COUPLE JUSTIFIED OF LOVE HAVING SIGHT OF THEIR SCOURGE - BOOK 2. XII. TREATS OF THE DUMBNESS POSSIBLE WITH MEMBERS OF A HOUSEHOLD HAVING ONE HEART XIII. THE LATEST OF MRS. BURMAN XIV. DISCLOSES A STAGE ON THE DRIVE TO PARIS XV. A PATRIOT ABROAD XVI. ACCOUNTS FOR SKEPSEY'S MISCONDUCT, SHOWING HOW IT AFFECTED NATALY XVII. CHIEFLY UPON THE THEME OF A YOUNG MAID'S IMAGININGS XVIII. SUITORS FOR THE HAND OF NESTA VICTORIA
BOOK 4. XXV. NATALY IN ACTION XXVI. IN WHICH WE SEE A CONVENTIONAL GENTLE MAN ENDEAVOURING TO EXAMINE A SPECTRE OF HIMSELF XXVII. CONTAINS WHAT IS A SMALL THING OR A GREAT, AS THE SOUL OF THE CHIEF ACTOR MAY DECIDE XXVIII. MRS. MARSETT XXIX. SHOWS ONE OF THE SHADOWS OF THE WORLD CROSSING A VIRGIN'S MIND XXX. THE BURDEN UPON NESTA XXXI. SHOWS HOW THE SQUIRES IN A CONQUEROR'S SERVICE HAVE AT TIMES TO DO KNIGHTLY CONQUEST OF THEMSELVES XXXII. SHOWS HOW TEMPER MAY KINDLE TEMPER AND AN INDIGNANT WOMAN GET HER WEAPON XXXIII. A PAIR OF WOOERS XXXIV. CONTAINS DEEDS UNRELATED AND EXPOSITIONS OF FEELINGS XXXV. IN WHICH AGAIN WE MAKE USE OF THE OLD LAMPS FOR LIGHTING AN ABYSMAL DARKNESS - BOOK 5. XXXVI. NESTA AND HER FATHER XXXVII. THE MOTHER—THE DAUGHTER XXXVIII. NATALY, NESTA, AND DARTREY FENELLAN XXXIX. A CHAPTER IN THE SHADOW OF MRS. MARSETT XL. AN EXPIATION XLI. THE NIGHT OF THE GREAT UNDELIVERED SPEECH XLII. THE LAST - ONE OF OUR CONQUERORS
BOOK 1. - I. ACROSS LONDON BRIDGE II. THROUGH THE VAGUE TO THE INFINITELY LITTLE III. OLD VEUVE IV. THE SECOND BOTTLE V. THE LONDON WALK WESTWARD VI. NATALY VII. BETWEEN A GENERAL MAN OF THE WORLD AND A PROFESSIONAL VIII. SOME FAMILIAR GUESTS. IX. AN INSPECTION OF LAKELANDS X. SKEPSEY IN MOTION - CHAPTER I - ACROSS LONDON BRIDGE
CHAPTER II - THROUGH THE VAGUE TO THE INFINITELY LITTLE
CHAPTER III - OLD VEUVE
CHAPTER IV - THE SECOND BOTTLE
CHAPTER V - THE LONDON WALK WESTWARD
CHAPTER VI - NATALY
CHAPTER VII - BETWEEN A GENERAL MAN OF THIN WORLD AND A PROFESSIONAL
CHAPTER VIII - SOME FAMILIAR GUESTS
A breezy and observant Victorian tale unfolds as a dashing gentleman, waistcoat immaculate, navigates a sudden slip on London Bridge and the ensuing camaraderie of passers‑by. His quick humor and gentle sarcasm set the tone for a series of lively adventures that wander from bustling city streets to the tranquil expanse of Lakeland, introducing a cast of colourful characters—Nataly, the witty heroine, and the enigmatic Nesta, among others. The narrative glides through witty banter, fleeting romances, and sharp commentary on social pretensions, all while maintaining a light, almost theatrical rhythm.
Each episode feels like a vignette, stitching together moments of accidental comedy, genteel intrigue, and the subtle clash between personal desire and societal expectation. As the protagonist’s world expands, readers encounter both earnest affection and satirical glimpses of the era’s manners, making the story feel both intimate and broadly reflective. The early chapters promise a spirited journey through love, mischief, and the ever‑present quest for self‑understanding.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (217K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2003-09-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1828–1909
A sharp, witty Victorian voice, this English novelist and poet is best known for brilliant dialogue, psychological insight, and a style that rewards close reading. His work helped push the English novel toward greater complexity, with books like The Egoist and poems such as Modern Love still drawing attention today.
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by George Meredith

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