The Column: A Novel (1901)

The Column is a novel written by Charles Marriott and published in 1901. The story is set in the early 19th century and revolves around the life of a young woman named Barbara Goring. Barbara is the daughter of a wealthy landowner and is betrothed to a man she does not love. However, she falls in love with a young soldier named Ronald, who is stationed in her town. The two begin a secret affair, but their happiness is short-lived when Ronald is sent away to fight in the Napoleonic Wars.Barbara is devastated by Ronald's departure and seeks solace in the company of her childhood friend, John. John is a kind and gentle man who has always been in love with Barbara. He proposes to her, but she turns him down, unable to forget her love for Ronald.As the war rages on, Ronald is reported missing in action, and Barbara is left to mourn his loss. She decides to dedicate her life to charitable work and becomes involved in the abolitionist movement. She meets a young lawyer named David, who shares her passion for social justice. The two fall in love and get married, but their happiness is short-lived when Ronald reappears, having survived the war.Barbara is torn between her love for Ronald and her duty to her husband. The novel explores themes of love, duty, and sacrifice, as Barbara must choose between the two men she loves. The Column is a poignant and emotional novel that captures the spirit of the early 19th century and the struggles of its characters.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.