The text has been transcribed, more or less verbatim, from the unique holograph manuscript now held in the Cambridge University Library.The manuscript came to the CUL in 1948 as part of an anonymous bequest, with other papers and books relating to the Duport family of Evenwood in Northamptonshire. It is written, for the most part, in a clear and confident hand on large-quarto lined sheets, the whole being bound in dark-red morocco (by R. Riviere, Great Queen Street) with the Duport arms blocked in gold on the front. Despite a few passages where the author's hand deteriorates, apparently under psychological duress, or perhaps as a result of his opium habit, there are relatively few deletions, additions, or other amendments. In addition to the author's narrative there are several interpolated documents and extracts by other hands.

...

  This is the extraordinary story of Edward Glyver, book lover,scholar and murderer. His life's quest is to overcome his deadly rival, Phoebus Daunt, and reclaim his rightful destiny. His path takes him from Victorian London's foggy streets, brothels and opium dens to England's most enchanting country house, home to both hisarch-enemy Daunt and the ravishing Emily Carteret,object of his obsession. But for each step Glyver takes towards entrapping his rival, the more he seems to become engulfedin fresh layers of mystery.

Editor's Preface

PART THE FIRST

Death of a Stranger: October-November 1854

PART THE SECOND

Phoebus Rising: 1819--1848

INTERMEZZO: 1849-1853

PART THE THIRD

Into the Shadow: October 1853

PART THE FOURTH

The Breaking of the Seal: October-November 1853

PART THE FIFTH

The Meaning of Night: 1853-1855

Post scripture

Appendix: P. Rainsford Daunt List of Published Works

Acknowledgements