Henrietta Temple

by Benjamin Disraeli Narrated by LibriVox Community

Overview

The Armine family, in particular the young Ferdinand Armine, is in great financial difficulties. Ferdinand's grandfather has burdened the family estate with large debts, which his father did not manage to diminish. Ferdinand himself is not disposed to live with his small income alone, and during his time in Malta with his regiment, he incurs debts of his own. The only thing that can easily pay for his debts and restore the house of Armine now is for Ferdinand to marry well, and the chosen wife for him is his cousin Katherine, the heiress to their grandfather's wealth. Katharine, who has idolized her cousin like their grandfather did, immediately consents to the marriage. But for Ferdinand, the match is a matter of necessity, not of love. Just as Ferdinand is beginning to realize that this planned marriage will be a loveless one for him, a chance meeting with the beautiful Henrietta Temple changes everything. "There is no love but love at first sight", and this young lady proceeds to turn Ferdinand's world upside down.Henrietta Temple is a semi-autobiographical novel and the author's first true success. Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield and later British Prime Minister, based this novel on his affair with the married Henrietta Sykes.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169449624
Publisher:	LibriVox
Publication date:	08/25/2014

Read an Excerpt

softer even than serenades. The arrangement of their dwelling occupied the second month: each day witnessed some felicitous yet economical alteration of the creative taste. The third month Lady Armine determined to make a garden. " I wish," said her affectionate husband, as he toiled with delight in her service; "I wish, my dear Constance, that Glastonbury was here; he was such a capital gardener." "Let us ask him, dear Katcliffe; and, perhaps, forsucha friend we have already allowed too great a space of time to elapse without sending an invitation." "Why, we are so happy," said Sir Ratcliffe, smiling; " and yet Glastonbury is the best creature in the world. I hope you will like him, dear Constance." "I am sure I shall, dear Ratcliffe. Give me that geranium, love. Write to him to-day; write to Glastonbury to-day." CHAPTER HI. Arrival of Glastonbujy. Adrian Glastonbury was a younger son of an old but decayed English family. He had been educated at a college of Jesuits in France, and had entered at an early period of life the service of the Bomish Church, whose communion his family had never quitted. At college young Glastonbury had been alike distinguished for his assiduous talents and for the extreme benevolence of his disposition. His was one of those minds to which refinement is natural, and which learning and experience never deprive of simplicity. Apparently his passions were not violent; perhaps they were restrained by his profound piety. Next to his devotion, Glastonbury was most remarkable for his taste. The magnificent temples in which the mysteries of the Deity and saints he worshipped were celebrated, developed the latent predisposition for the beautiful , whichbecame almost the master sentiment of his life. In the inspired and inspiring paintings t...

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