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This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
350 pages, Hardcover
Published September 9, 2015
3 people want to read
About the author
James Payn
252 books1 followerJames Payn was an English novelist and editor of The Cornhill Magazine.
Payn's father, William Payn (1774/5 - 1840), was clerk to the Thames Commissioners and at one time treasurer to the county of Berkshire. Payn was educated at Eton, and afterwards entered the Military Academy at Woolwich; but his health was not equal to the demands of a military career, and he proceeded in 1847 to Trinity College, Cambridge. He was among the most popular men of his time, and served as president of the Union. Before going to Cambridge he had published some verses in Leigh Hunt's Journal, and while still an undergraduate put forth a volume of Stories from Boccaccio in 1852, and in 1853 a volume of Poems.
In the same year he left Cambridge, he met and shortly afterwards married Miss Louisa Adelaide Edlin (b. 1830 or 1831), sister of Judge Sir Peter Edlin, later chairman of the London Quarter Sessions. They had nine children, the third of whom, Alicia Isabel (died 1898), married The Times editor George Earle Buckle.
Payn's father, William Payn (1774/5 - 1840), was clerk to the Thames Commissioners and at one time treasurer to the county of Berkshire. Payn was educated at Eton, and afterwards entered the Military Academy at Woolwich; but his health was not equal to the demands of a military career, and he proceeded in 1847 to Trinity College, Cambridge. He was among the most popular men of his time, and served as president of the Union. Before going to Cambridge he had published some verses in Leigh Hunt's Journal, and while still an undergraduate put forth a volume of Stories from Boccaccio in 1852, and in 1853 a volume of Poems.
In the same year he left Cambridge, he met and shortly afterwards married Miss Louisa Adelaide Edlin (b. 1830 or 1831), sister of Judge Sir Peter Edlin, later chairman of the London Quarter Sessions. They had nine children, the third of whom, Alicia Isabel (died 1898), married The Times editor George Earle Buckle.
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January 22, 2023
A lot of this novel happens on the Isle of Wight!!
Plot summary for anyone interested: Two Englishmen, Captain Arthur Conway and his (racist, rambunctious, rude) friend Ralph Pennicuick, are in China. Ralph steals the Shay-le, a valuable crystal, from a 10,000 year old shrine and is arrested, imprisoned, and sentenced to death. Ralph decides to purchase a substitute to die in his place and Arthur, needing the money for his daughter Nelly in England, decides he will die as the substitute. Arthur and Ralph make the swap. After he believes Arthur is dead, Ralph reneges on his promise and destroys Arthur's will. Ralph returns to England and tells his son Raymond, who is love in love with Nelly Conway, that he intends to settle 300/year on Mrs. Conway and Nelly. Mrs. Conway, knowing Ralph to be a liar, accuses Ralph of betraying her husband and then falls dead on the floor of apoplexy. After her mother’s death, Nelly goes to the Isle of Wight with her friends, Mr. and Mrs. Wardlaw. On the Isle of Wight, Nelly is trapped by the high tide and nearly drowns, but an old feeble man (secretly her father) rescues her. Her father poses as Mr. Pearson, a drawing master, and becomes Nelly's art teacher. On his deathbed, Ralph confesses everything to Raymond. Mr. Pearson (also known as Arthur Conway) also tells his story to Raymond and then Nelly. Raymond and Nelly are married and then Arthur dies.
Plot summary for anyone interested: Two Englishmen, Captain Arthur Conway and his (racist, rambunctious, rude) friend Ralph Pennicuick, are in China. Ralph steals the Shay-le, a valuable crystal, from a 10,000 year old shrine and is arrested, imprisoned, and sentenced to death. Ralph decides to purchase a substitute to die in his place and Arthur, needing the money for his daughter Nelly in England, decides he will die as the substitute. Arthur and Ralph make the swap. After he believes Arthur is dead, Ralph reneges on his promise and destroys Arthur's will. Ralph returns to England and tells his son Raymond, who is love in love with Nelly Conway, that he intends to settle 300/year on Mrs. Conway and Nelly. Mrs. Conway, knowing Ralph to be a liar, accuses Ralph of betraying her husband and then falls dead on the floor of apoplexy. After her mother’s death, Nelly goes to the Isle of Wight with her friends, Mr. and Mrs. Wardlaw. On the Isle of Wight, Nelly is trapped by the high tide and nearly drowns, but an old feeble man (secretly her father) rescues her. Her father poses as Mr. Pearson, a drawing master, and becomes Nelly's art teacher. On his deathbed, Ralph confesses everything to Raymond. Mr. Pearson (also known as Arthur Conway) also tells his story to Raymond and then Nelly. Raymond and Nelly are married and then Arthur dies.
Displaying 1 of 1 review