HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS, 13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 1856. 249. w. 6o. ΤΟ HENRY THOMPSON, ESQ. M.B., F.R.C.S. MY DEAR THOMPSON, THOUGH I am aware that the Profession in which you are so actively engaged leaves you little time for the perusal of what is commonly called "Light Literature," I cannot deny myself the pleasure of dedicating this Novel to you, in the trust that you will regard my doing so as an honest, though faint, expression of my affectionate admiration for your high attainments and generous nature, and of my gratitude to you for very many acts of friendship, which, I am delighted to think, can never be repaid by Your very sincere Friend, JOHN CORDY JEAFFRESON. ISABEL. CHAPTER I. CAPTAIN POTTER OF KILVERTON. CAPTAIN POTTER was not what is usually understood by a great man, and yet he was not without heroic elements. He was not great in stature, for five feet six inches exceeded his extreme height; neither was he great in mind, for his intellect bordered on the minute. His fortunes also were not great, for at no time of life was his income much more than a thousand pounds per annum. But he possessed the rare VOL. I. B |