<p><SPAN name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"></SPAN> <br/> <br/></p>
<h2> PREFACE. </h2>
<p>THE main purpose of this story is to appeal to the reader's interest in a
subject which has been the theme of some of the greatest writers, living
and dead—but which has never been, and can never be, exhausted,
because it is a subject eternally interesting to all mankind. Here is one
more book that depicts the struggle of a human creature, under those
opposing influences of Good and Evil, which we have all felt, which we
have all known. It has been my aim to make the character of "Magdalen,"
which personifies this struggle, a pathetic character even in its
perversity and its error; and I have tried hard to attain this result by
the least obtrusive and the least artificial of all means—by a
resolute adherence throughout to the truth as it is in Nature. This design
was no easy one to accomplish; and it has been a great encouragement to me
(during the publication of my story in its periodical form) to know, on
the authority of many readers, that the object which I had proposed to
myself, I might, in some degree, consider as an object achieved.</p>
<p>Round the central figure in the narrative other characters will be found
grouped, in sharp contrast—contrast, for the most part, in which I
have endeavored to make the element of humor mainly predominant. I have
sought to impart this relief to the more serious passages in the book, not
only because I believe myself to be justified in doing so by the laws of
Art—but because experience has taught me (what the experience of my
readers will doubtless confirm) that there is no such moral phenomenon as
unmixed tragedy to be found in the world around us. Look where we may, the
dark threads and the light cross each other perpetually in the texture of
human life.</p>
<p>To pass from the Characters to the Story, it will be seen that the
narrative related in these pages has been constructed on a plan which
differs from the plan followed in my last novel, and in some other of my
works published at an earlier date. The only Secret contained in this book
is revealed midway in the first volume. From that point, all the main
events of the story are purposely foreshadowed before they take place—my
present design being to rouse the reader's interest in following the train
of circumstances by which these foreseen events are brought about. In
trying this new ground, I am not turning my back in doubt on the ground
which I have passed over already. My one object in following a new course
is to enlarge the range of my studies in the art of writing fiction, and
to vary the form in which I make my appeal to the reader, as attractively
as I can.</p>
<p>There is no need for me to add more to these few prefatory words than is
here written. What I might otherwise have wished to say in this place, I
have endeavored to make the book itself say for me.</p>
<p>TO FRANCIS CARR BEARD (FELLOW OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF
ENGLAND), IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE TIME WHEN THE CLOSING SCENES OF THIS STORY
WERE WRITTEN. <SPAN name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"></SPAN></p>
<h2> NO NAME. </h2>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />
1 of 2
2 of 2
Previous
Next
Update Required
To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.