Chapter I: Preface

This story, in book form, has been called for during several years past, but the author has reserved it until now; not only because she considers it to be her very best work, but because it is peculiarly a national novel, being founded on the life and career of one of the noblest of our countrymen, who really lived, suffered, toiled, and triumphed in this land; one whose inspirations of wisdom and goodness were drawn from the examples of the heroic warriors and statesmen of the Revolution, and who having by his own energy risen from the deepest obscurity to the highest fame, became in himself an illustration of the elevating influence of our republican institutions.

"In the Depths" he was born indeed--in the very depths of poverty, misery, and humiliation. But through Heaven's blessing on his aspirations and endeavors, he raised himself to the summit of fame.

He was good as well as great. His goodness won the love of all who knew him intimately. His greatness gained the homage of the world. He became, in a word, one of the brightest stars in Columbia's diadem of light.

His identity will be recognized by those who were familiar with his early personal history; but for obvious reasons his real name must be veiled under a fictitious one here.

His life is a guiding-star to the youth of every land, to show them that there is no depth of human misery from which they may not, by virtue, energy and perseverance, rise to earthly honors as well as to eternal glory.

Emma D. E. N. Southworth. Prospect Cottage, Georgetown, D.C.

CONTENTS.

I. THE SISTERS II. LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT III. PASSION IV. THE FATAL DEED V. LOVE AND FATE VI. A SECRET REVEALED VII. MOTHER- AND DAUGHTER-IN-LAW VIII. END OF THE SECRET MARRIAGE IX. THE VICTIM X. THE RIVALS XI. THE MARTYRS OF LOVE XII. HERMAN'S STORY XIII. THE FLIGHT OF HERMAN XIV. OVER NORA'S GRAVE XV. NORA'S SON XVI. THE FORSAKEN WIFE XVII. THE COUNTESS AND THE CHILD XVIII. BERENICE XIX. NOBODY'S SON XX. NEWS FROM HERMAN XXI. ISHMAEL'S ADVENTURE XXII. ISHMAEL GAINS HIS FIRST VERDICT XXIII. ISHMAEL'S PROGRESS XXIV. CLAUDIA TO THE RESCUE XXV. A TURNING POINT IN ISHMAEL'S LIFE XXVI. THE FIRE AT BRUDENELL HALL XXVII. ISHMAEL'S FIRST STEP ON THE LADDER XXVIII. ISHMAEL AND CLAUDIA XXIX. YOUNG LOVE XXX. ISHMAEL AND CLAUDIA XXXI. ISHMAEL HEARS A SECRET FROM AN ENEMY XXXII. AT HIS MOTHER'S GRAVE XXXIII. LOVE AND GENIUS XXXIV. UNDER THE OLD ELM TREE XXXV. THE DREAM AND THE AWAKENING XXXVI. DARKNESS XXXVII. THE NEW HOME XXXVIII. ISHMAEL'S STRUGGLES XXXIX. ISHMAEL IN TANGLEWOOD XL. THE LIBRARY XLI. CLAUDIA XLII. ISHMAEL AT TANGLEWOOD XLIII. THE HEIRESS XLIV. CLAUDIA'S PERPLEXITIES XLV. THE INTERVIEW XLVI. NEW LIFE XLVII. RUSHY SHORE XLVIII. ONWARD XLIX. STILL ONWARD L. CLAUDIA'S CITY HOME LI. HEIRESS AND BEAUTY LII. AN EVENING AT THE PRESIDENT'S LIII. THE VISCOUNT VINCENT LIV. ISHMAEL AT THE BALL LV. A STEP HIGHER LVI. TRIAL AND TRIUMPH LVII. THE YOUNG CHAMPION LVIII. HERMAN BRUDENELL LIX. FIRST MEETING OF FATHER AND SON LX. HERMAN AND HANNAH LXI. ENVY LXII. FOILED MALICE LXIII. THE BRIDE ELECT LXIV. CLAUDIA'S WOE LXV. ISHMAEL'S WOE LXVI. THE MARRIAGE MORNING LXVII. BEE'S HANDKERCHIEF

ISHMAEL

OR,

"IN THE DEPTHS."