Book contents
- Frontmatter
- CONTENTS
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Select Bibliography
- Note on the Text
- The Invisible Spy
- BOOK I
- BOOK II
- CHAP. I The Author, by the help of his Invisibility, has discover'd such a contrast in the behaviour of two married couple of distinction, as he thinks would be the utmost injustice to the public to conceal
- CHAP. II Relates a strange and most unnatural instance of bigottry and enthusiasm in a parent
- CHAP. III The author finds means, tho' with an infinite deal of difficulty, to make a discovery of some part of the unhappy consequences which immediately attended the cruel resolution Flaminio had taken in regard to his daughter
- CHAP. IV Contains some farther and more interesting particulars of this adventure, and shews that people, by flying from one thing which they think would be a misfortune, often run into others of a nature much more to be dreaded
- CHAP. V Completes the catastrophe of this truly tragical adventure
- CHAP. VI Gives the account of an occurrence, no less remarkable than it is entertaining; and shews that there is scarce any difficulty so great but that it may be got over, by the help of a ready wit and invention, if properly exerted
- CHAP. VII Is a continuance of this merry history, which presents something as little expected by the reader as it was by the parties concern'd in it; and, if the author's hopes do not greatly deceive him, will also afford an equal share of satisfaction as surprise
- CHAP. VIII Presents something as little expected by the reader as it was by the parties concern'd in it; and, if the author's hopes do not deceive him, will also afford an equal share of satisfaction as surprise
- CHAP. IX Contains a succinct account of some farther particulars, in some measure relative to the foregoing adventure, and, besides, are of too agreeable and interesting a nature in themselves not to be look'd upon as a rightly judged, and very necessary appendix
- Volume 2
- Contents to the Second Volume
- VOL. II
- BOOK III
- BOOK IV
- VOL. III
- BOOK V
- BOOK VI
- BOOK VII
- BOOK VIII
- Editorial Notes
- Silent Corrections
CHAP. IV - Contains some farther and more interesting particulars of this adventure, and shews that people, by flying from one thing which they think would be a misfortune, often run into others of a nature much more to be dreaded
from BOOK II
- Frontmatter
- CONTENTS
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Select Bibliography
- Note on the Text
- The Invisible Spy
- BOOK I
- BOOK II
- CHAP. I The Author, by the help of his Invisibility, has discover'd such a contrast in the behaviour of two married couple of distinction, as he thinks would be the utmost injustice to the public to conceal
- CHAP. II Relates a strange and most unnatural instance of bigottry and enthusiasm in a parent
- CHAP. III The author finds means, tho' with an infinite deal of difficulty, to make a discovery of some part of the unhappy consequences which immediately attended the cruel resolution Flaminio had taken in regard to his daughter
- CHAP. IV Contains some farther and more interesting particulars of this adventure, and shews that people, by flying from one thing which they think would be a misfortune, often run into others of a nature much more to be dreaded
- CHAP. V Completes the catastrophe of this truly tragical adventure
- CHAP. VI Gives the account of an occurrence, no less remarkable than it is entertaining; and shews that there is scarce any difficulty so great but that it may be got over, by the help of a ready wit and invention, if properly exerted
- CHAP. VII Is a continuance of this merry history, which presents something as little expected by the reader as it was by the parties concern'd in it; and, if the author's hopes do not greatly deceive him, will also afford an equal share of satisfaction as surprise
- CHAP. VIII Presents something as little expected by the reader as it was by the parties concern'd in it; and, if the author's hopes do not deceive him, will also afford an equal share of satisfaction as surprise
- CHAP. IX Contains a succinct account of some farther particulars, in some measure relative to the foregoing adventure, and, besides, are of too agreeable and interesting a nature in themselves not to be look'd upon as a rightly judged, and very necessary appendix
- Volume 2
- Contents to the Second Volume
- VOL. II
- BOOK III
- BOOK IV
- VOL. III
- BOOK V
- BOOK VI
- BOOK VII
- BOOK VIII
- Editorial Notes
- Silent Corrections
Summary
Much as I had condemned Flaminio for his bigotted superstition, I could not wholly absolve Isabinda for the step she had taken; – I wonder'd not that she was fearful of being forced into a state of life which few ladies of her years would chuse; but I wonder'd that she was not also fearful of putting herself into the power of a man who loved her, and whom she passionately loved; – she must certainly either not have consider'd the dangers to which she might be exposed, or have depended too much on the strength of her own virtue.
Besides, she could not be so ignorant as not to know that no woman can be made a nun, any more than she can be made a wife, against her will; and a less share of courage than she shew'd in this midnight elopement would have enabled her, on her entrance within the walls of the convent, to declare she had neither call nor inclination to receive the veil, on which neither the abbess nor the bishop of the diocess could have consented to her admission into holy orders.
It is true, that her father might have confined her there a pensioner as long as he thought fit; but as this would not have answer'd his end in devoting her to the service of the church, by way of propitiation for his offenses, there is no doubt to be made but that he would shortly have recall'd her home; – and, perhaps too, been convinced of his folly in attempting a thing so absurd in itself, as well as cruel to his daughter.
I am sensible that many of my fair young readers will be apt to quarrel with me for my animadversions on Isabinda's conduct in this point, and cry out, – if they were in her place they would do the same; – it is very likely, indeed, that they would do so, and full as likely that they would meet with something to make them heartily repent of their inadvertency.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Invisible Spyby Eliza Haywood, pp. 76 - 81Publisher: Pickering & ChattoFirst published in: 2014