Book contents
- Frontmatter
- CONTENTS
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Select Bibliography
- Note on the Text
- The Invisible Spy
- BOOK I
- BOOK II
- VOL. II
- BOOK III
- BOOK IV
- VOL. III
- BOOK V
- BOOK VI
- CHAP. I Is dedicated entirely to the Ladies, as it relates an adventure which nearly concerns them to take notice of
- CHAP. II Contains the conclusion of a narrative, which I am certain there is one person in the world who cannot read without being fill'd with the most poignant remorse, unless he is as dead to all sense of humanity as of honour
- CHAP. III Consists of some farther particulars relative to the preceding adventure, which came to the Author's knowledge after the departure of Matilda from London; with two letters wrote by that unfortunate lady to her husband in her exile, which it is hoped will not be an unwelcome present to the Public, especially to those who have hearts not utterly incapable of being affected with the woes of others
- CHAP. IV The Author having found something in his rambles, which he supposes may be of some value to the right owner, to shew his readiness to restore it, condescends to take upon himself the office of a Town-Cryer; – but waves the ceremony of the great O-Yes three times repeated.
- CHAP. V Turns chiefly upon the subject of Education, and contains some things which the Author is apprehensive will not be very agreeable to the Female part of his readers, whether of the elderly or the more youthful class, yet may serve as a useful admonition to both
- CHAP. VI The Author expects will make a full attonement to the ladies for the too much plain dealing, as some of them may think, of the preceding chapter
- CHAP. VII Contains the recital of an adventure, which, perhaps, will not be found the less, but the more interesting, for its being not altogether of so singular a nature as some others in this work may have appear'd
- CHAP. VIII Contains a brief account of the effects that were produced by the good intentions of the Invisible Spy, with some other subsequent particulars
- Volume 4
- Contents to the Fourth Volume
- BOOK VII
- BOOK VIII
- Editorial Notes
- Silent Corrections
CHAP. III - Consists of some farther particulars relative to the preceding adventure, which came to the Author's knowledge after the departure of Matilda from London; with two letters wrote by that unfortunate lady to her husband in her exile, which it is hoped will not be an unwelcome present to the Public, especially to those who have hearts not utterly incapable of being affected with the woes of others
from BOOK VI
- Frontmatter
- CONTENTS
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Select Bibliography
- Note on the Text
- The Invisible Spy
- BOOK I
- BOOK II
- VOL. II
- BOOK III
- BOOK IV
- VOL. III
- BOOK V
- BOOK VI
- CHAP. I Is dedicated entirely to the Ladies, as it relates an adventure which nearly concerns them to take notice of
- CHAP. II Contains the conclusion of a narrative, which I am certain there is one person in the world who cannot read without being fill'd with the most poignant remorse, unless he is as dead to all sense of humanity as of honour
- CHAP. III Consists of some farther particulars relative to the preceding adventure, which came to the Author's knowledge after the departure of Matilda from London; with two letters wrote by that unfortunate lady to her husband in her exile, which it is hoped will not be an unwelcome present to the Public, especially to those who have hearts not utterly incapable of being affected with the woes of others
- CHAP. IV The Author having found something in his rambles, which he supposes may be of some value to the right owner, to shew his readiness to restore it, condescends to take upon himself the office of a Town-Cryer; – but waves the ceremony of the great O-Yes three times repeated.
- CHAP. V Turns chiefly upon the subject of Education, and contains some things which the Author is apprehensive will not be very agreeable to the Female part of his readers, whether of the elderly or the more youthful class, yet may serve as a useful admonition to both
- CHAP. VI The Author expects will make a full attonement to the ladies for the too much plain dealing, as some of them may think, of the preceding chapter
- CHAP. VII Contains the recital of an adventure, which, perhaps, will not be found the less, but the more interesting, for its being not altogether of so singular a nature as some others in this work may have appear'd
- CHAP. VIII Contains a brief account of the effects that were produced by the good intentions of the Invisible Spy, with some other subsequent particulars
- Volume 4
- Contents to the Fourth Volume
- BOOK VII
- BOOK VIII
- Editorial Notes
- Silent Corrections
Summary
I am very much afraid that Alexis will stand but little justified in the opinion of my fair readers for his conduct towards Matilda; – they will doubtless say, that the love he pretended to have for her had taken but a shallow root in his heart, when it could be shaken by a misfortune which she had no way contributed to bring upon herself.
They will, perhaps, also add, that after she had with so much simplicity, some may think folly too, revealed to him the whole of what had befallen her, it was not only unkind, but highly ungenerous and cruel in him to abandon her to despair at a time when she had so much need of the tenderest compassion and consolation.
I must confess, indeed, that these accusations have the strongest appearance of reason on their side; yet I must take upon me, notwithstanding, to aver, that Alexis in this point was influenced by a principle which is among the things, which tho' we cannot prove to be so, yet we know in fact are so; and how much a paradox so ever it may seem to some, Love, when in excess, may, on more occasions than one, produce the same effects as Hate.
I know not whether there are many ladies would like to be loved in this manner; for certain it is, that it was chiefly owing to the too refin'd delicacy of the passion Alexis was possess'd of for Matilda that made them both so greatly wretched; – the thoughts that another, though by force, had revell'd in her charms, depriv'd those charms of all their relish, and sicken'd every wish.
When we have been talking together on this head, often have I heard him, in the utmost bitterness of heart, express himself in these terms:
Alexis. I still adore her mind; – I know it all compos'd of sweetness, innocence, and heavenly truth; – but, oh! the blemish cast upon her person cannot be wash'd off but with the villain's blood; and unless fate allows me the means of doing her and myself that justice, can never look upon her but as the ghost of my once dear wife.
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- The Invisible Spyby Eliza Haywood, pp. 323 - 328Publisher: Pickering & ChattoFirst published in: 2014