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AsphodelM. E. Braddon

Asphodel

by OpenStories

Original author: M. E. Braddon

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"Asphodel: A Novel" by M. E. Braddon is a fiction work written in the late 19th century. The story follows the adventurous and free-spirited Daphne as she escapes the constraints of school life in Asnières to enjoy the beauty of the forest of Fontainebleau, accompanied by her companion Martha Dibb. The narrative hints at themes of youthful exuberance, attraction, and the complexities of social class as Daphne encounters a mysterious stranger, who initially presents himself as an artist but ultimately possesses a deeper identity. At the start of the novel, Daphne delights in the warmth of a summer day, showcasing her vivacious character as she and Martha discuss their escape from the confines of their school. Daphne exudes charm and mischief, using humor and light-hearted banter with Martha. They meet an unknown stranger in the forest, who engages in playful banter with Daphne and seems to admire her youthful spirit and beauty. The tension between Daphne's carefree nature and the undercurrents of social propriety is palpable, setting the stage for potential conflict and romance as both girls navigate their interactions with the enigmatic stranger.

Asphodel, by M. E. Braddon. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #75506.

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35 Chapters

  1. 1.Front Matter412 words
  2. 2.Chapter I: ‘and She Was Fair as Is the Rose in May.’4,462 words
  3. 3.Chapter II: ‘and This Was Gladly in the Eventide.’4,376 words
  4. 4.Chapter III: ‘and Volatile, as Ay Was His Usage.’7,335 words
  5. 5.Chapter IV: ‘curteis She Was, Discrete, and Debonaire.’4,980 words
  6. 6.Chapter V: ‘thou Lovest Me, That Wot I Wel Certain.’5,661 words
  7. 7.Chapter VI: ‘love Maketh All to Gone Misway.’6,186 words
  8. 8.Chapter VII: ‘his Herte Bathed in a Bath of Blisse.’5,022 words
  9. 9.Chapter VIII: ‘god Wote That Worldly Joy Is Sone Ago.’5,406 words
  10. 10.Chapter IX: ‘of Colour Pale and Dead Was She.’4,484 words
  11. 11.Chapter X: ‘and Spending Silver Had He Right Ynow.’5,152 words
  12. 12.Chapter XI: ‘yeve Me My Deth, or That I Have a Shame.’4,768 words
  13. 13.Chapter XII: ‘and to the Dinner Faste They Hem Spedde.’4,958 words
  14. 14.Chapter XIII: ‘after My Might Ful Fayne Wold I You Plese.’4,586 words
  15. 15.Chapter XIV: ‘love Is a Thing, as Any Spirit, Free.’4,590 words
  16. 16.Chapter XV: ‘not for Your Linage, Ne for Your Richesse.’3,868 words
  17. 17.Chapter XVI: ‘no Man May Alway Have Prosperitee.’4,686 words
  18. 18.Chapter XVII: ‘and in My Herte Wondren I Began.’5,012 words
  1. 19.Chapter XVIII: ‘love Wol Not Be Constreined by Maistrie.’4,759 words
  2. 20.Chapter XIX: ‘i Deme That Hire Herte Was Ful of Wo.’4,882 words
  3. 21.Chapter XX: ‘al Sodenly She Swapt Adown to Ground.’5,023 words
  4. 22.Chapter XXI: ‘for Wele or Wo, for Carole, or for Daunce.’5,731 words
  5. 23.Chapter XXII: ‘for I Wol Gladly Yelden Hire My Place.’4,900 words
  6. 24.Chapter XXIII: ‘and Come Agen, Be It by Day or Night.’4,375 words
  7. 25.Chapter XXIV: ‘ay Fleth the Time, It Wol No Man Abide.’5,266 words
  8. 26.Chapter XXV: ‘but I Wot Best Wher Wringeth Me My Sho.’5,968 words
  9. 27.Chapter XXVI: ‘forbid a Love and It Is Ten Times So Wode.’4,462 words
  10. 28.Chapter XXVII: ‘i May Not Don as Every Ploughman May.’4,593 words
  11. 29.Chapter XXVIII: ‘love Is Not Old, as Whan That It Is New.’6,490 words
  12. 30.Chapter XXIX: ‘i Meane Well, by God That Sit Above.’5,020 words
  13. 31.Chapter XXX: ‘ther Was No Wight, to Whom She Durste Plain.’5,552 words
  14. 32.Chapter XXXI: ‘i Wolde Live in Pees, If That I Might.’3,557 words
  15. 33.Chapter XXXII: ‘for Love and Not for Hate Thou Must Be Ded.’3,968 words
  16. 34.Chapter XXXIII: ‘is There No Grace? Is There No Remedie?’6,871 words
  17. 35.Chapter XXXIV: ‘sens Love Hath Brought Us to This Piteous End.’5,284 words