
A witty, self‑aware narrator finds himself caught in a tangled web of affection and propriety. He rides daily with the lively and intelligent Theresa, whose conversation sparkles with humor and subtle philosophy, while his heart still clings to the distant memory of Conny, the first love who has grown increasingly distant. The story unfolds in the bustling streets of Victorian London, where the narrator’s candid reflections on desire, loyalty, and the art of flirtation reveal both his charm and his indecision.
Through playful banter and lyrical musings, the novel examines the expectations placed on young men of the era—whether they should remain steadfast to a single sweetheart or indulge in the fleeting delights of multiple courtships. As the narrator navigates the delicate balance between genuine feeling and the allure of new companionship, the reader is drawn into a lively, introspective portrait of love, society, and the restless spirit of a man who refuses to be easily categorized.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (161K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David E. Brown and The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2020-07-08
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1844–1911
A former merchant seaman turned storyteller, he brought storms, shipwrecks, and life at sea to Victorian readers with unusual realism. His adventure-filled nautical novels made him one of the best-known sea writers of his day.
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by William Clark Russell

by William Clark Russell

by William Clark Russell

by William Clark Russell

by William Clark Russell

by William Clark Russell

by William Clark Russell

by William Clark Russell