Lord Raymond was the sole remnant of a noble but impoverished family. From

early youth he had considered his pedigree with complacency, and bitterly

lamented his want of wealth. His first wish was aggrandisement; and the

means that led towards this end were secondary considerations. Haughty, yet

trembling to every demonstration of respect; ambitious, but too proud to

shew his ambition; willing to achieve honour, yet a votary of pleasure,--

he entered upon life. He was met on the threshold by some insult, real or

imaginary; some repulse, where he least expected it; some disappointment,

hard for his pride to bear. He writhed beneath an injury he was unable to

revenge; and he quitted England with a vow not to return, till the good

time should arrive, when she might feel the power of him she now despised.

He became an adventurer in the Greek wars. His reckless courage and

comprehensive genius brought him into notice. He became the darling hero of

this rising people. His foreign birth, and he refused to throw off his

allegiance to his native country, alone prevented him from filling the

first offices in the state. But, though others might rank higher in title

and ceremony, Lord Raymond held a station above and beyond all this. He led

the Greek armies to victory; their triumphs were all his own. When he

appeared, whole towns poured forth their population to meet him; new songs

were adapted to their national airs, whose themes were his glory, valour,

and munificence. A truce was concluded between the Greeks and Turks. At the

same time, Lord Raymond, by some unlooked-for chance, became the possessor

of an immense fortune in England, whither he returned, crowned with glory,

to receive the meed of honour and distinction before denied to his

pretensions. His proud heart rebelled against this change. In what was the

The Last Man