ERNEST MALTRAVERS

BY EDWARD BULWER LYTTON
(Lord Lytton)


BOOK VII.

Every man should strive to be as good as possible, but not
suppose himself to be the only thing that is good.
--PLOTIN. EN. 11. lib. ix. c. 9.



CHAPTER I.

"Deceit is the strong but subtle chain which runs through
all the members of a society, and links them together;
trick or be tricked is the alternative; 'tis the way of
the world, and without it intercourse would drop."
/Anonymous writer/ of 1722.

"A lovely child she was, of looks serene,
And motions which o'er things indifferent shed
The grace and gentleness from whence they came."
PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY.

"His years but young, but his experience old."--SHAKESPEARE.

"He after honour hunts, I after love."--/Ibid./