The Edith Wharton Library

In which the subtle art of window design is elucidated as not merely functional, but as a principal architectonic element essential to the harmonious balance and grace of interior spaces. The discourse gently revives old-world reverence for proportion, placement, and protective shutters, while lamenting the modern neglect of openings in favour of furnishings and elaborate draperies that obscure th...

In which the thoughtful art of furnishing is explored with a genteel insistence on individuality and comfort, rather than mere novelty or fashion, emphasising the importance of purpose, proportion, and privacy within the rooms of a house. The discourse gently warns against the pitfalls of careless ornamentation and the tyranny of obsolete habits, advising a harmonious unity in design and a discrim...

In which the delicate art of proportion and symmetry is revealed as the subtle backbone of architectural grace, influencing not only the aesthetic but also the comfort of a room's interior design. The chapter further explores the noble traditions and materials of wall-decoration—fresco, panelling, and tapestry—emphasising their harmonious relationship with architectural lines and cautioning agains...

In which the evolution of architecture and decoration is thoughtfully examined, emphasising the significance of historical styles—particularly those flourishing in Italy, France, and England—as vital guides to modern house-planning suited to our altered ways of living. The discourse gently underscores the harmony of proportion, purpose, and stylistic consistency as the true essence of enduring bea...

In which the author gently laments the modern detachment of interior decoration from architectural design, tracing the historical evolution from the functional ornamentation of medieval times to the often disjointed embellishments of the present day. She advocates a return to principles of proportion, simplicity, and structural harmony, suggesting that true beauty in a home arises from architectur...

In which the Duke awakens from a prolonged illness to a changed world, finding himself both estranged from his past passions and drawn into the calm yet inexorable currents of political upheaval sweeping Italy and France. As old alliances crumble and new powers vie for dominance, he wrestles with the heavy solitude of leadership and the poignant stirrings of a renewed, though wary, resolve.

In which the solemn ceremony of conferring doctorates at the University of Pianura unfolds amid a city tense with political unrest, where the young Signorina Fulvia Vivaldi’s eloquence on liberty stirs both admiration and disturbance. The Duke confronts the tumultuous crowd with composed defiance, even as shadows of violence and loss intrude upon the day’s lofty ideals, revealing the fragile tensi...

In which the Duke confronts the uneasy quiet before the proclamation of a new constitution, sensing undercurrents of opposition and resignation among his ministers, while grappling with the complexities of ambition and loyalty that colour the political landscape. He seeks solace and counsel from Fulvia, whose sudden faltering faith and poignant confessions reveal the tender uncertainties that shad...

In which the Duke, wrestling with the stark realities of governance and reform, finds his ideals challenged not only by the complexities of political change but also by the poignant counsel of his Duchess, whose fears for his safety and the realm’s stability reveal the tender fissures in their union. Their encounter, marked by a delicate interplay of pride, affection, and foreboding, underscores t...

In which the solemn jubilee of the Mountain Madonna brings together a sprawling assembly of clergy and pilgrims beneath a glowing sky, illustrating the enduring power of faith and spectacle amid shifting tides of belief. Amid whispered rumours and the uneasy undercurrents of political dissent, a solitary figure moves through the city’s carnival-lit streets, his return to the ducal palace shadowed...

In which Fulvia, living with austere grace in a former convent, stands as both confidante and symbol beside the Duke amid the austere twilight of political and personal struggle. Their converse, shaded by hope and disquiet, reveals the intricate interplay of ideals and realities shaping their shared and solitary paths.

In which an English traveller’s diary unfolds a discerning journey through the duchy of Pianura, revealing a land poised between the austere realities of rural neglect and the lofty ambitions of enlightened reform under a troubled sovereign. Conversations with men of learning and visits to estates and institutions offer a vivid tableau of political unease, agricultural endeavour, and the subtle te...

In which the new Duke, wearied by the ceremonial duties and elusive nature of power, reflects on his reform efforts and the distant encouragement of Fulvia Vivaldi, whose presence lingers like a light in his solitary pursuit. Meanwhile, the arrival of the fervent poet Alfieri, champion of liberty and old friends reunited, stirs renewed hope beneath the masque of courtly grandeur and the stirring e...

In which the Duke learns of Signorina Fulvia Vivaldi's perilous situation as a political refugee fleeing the censure of the Holy Office, and resolves to provide her sanctuary within his own dominions. A chance reunion ensues at the deserted hunting-lodge of Pontesordo, where past and present intermingle beneath the lingering shadows of memory and affection.

In which the city of Pianura, adorned with rich banners and festoons, prepares a grand and heartfelt welcome for the young Duke Odo as he returns to claim his throne after a period of turmoil and mourning. Amid the pageantry and popular acclaim, Odo contemplates the heavy burdens of sovereignty and the intricate political intrigues that await him, revealing both his hopes and the sorrows that shad...

In which the newly appointed Duke wrestles with the departure of his trusted tutor and advisor, de Crucis, and the daunting weight of governance amid the complex interplay of reform and tradition. Meanwhile, his marriage to the Duchess reveals the challenges of enlisting personal ambition and understanding in the service of political and fiscal renewal.

In which a young nobleman named Odo confronts the heavy burdens of duty and love amid political intrigue and shifting loyalties, as a devoted woman named Fulvia guides him towards a solemn resolve. Their quiet but poignant exchange illuminates the sacrifices demanded by honour and the unyielding call of a higher purpose beyond personal happiness.

In which Fulvia and Odo, enveloped in the quiet urgency of their flight, seek refuge and passage through a night-wrapped Italian landscape, where the natural world’s beauty contrasts with the shadowy presence of pursuit and the weight of destiny. Their journey, marked by moments of tender understanding and looming uncertainty, leads them to a crossroads where past connections and future loyalties...

In which the fragile hope of a clandestine meeting between two kindred spirits unravels beneath the brooding walls of a Venetian convent, revealing the harsh confines of a life imposed rather than chosen. Amidst whispered confessions and veiled reprisals, a young woman’s ardent yearning for freedom is tempered by the somber reality of entangling loyalties and the delicate artifice necessary to sus...

In which Odo carefully orchestrates Fulvia’s daring escape from the convent, navigating the complexities of their secretive world with a measured blend of resolve and tender companionship. Their flight is shadowed by unexpected allies and concealed dangers, unfolding amid the festive yet fraught atmosphere of a masked ball and the quiet streets of Venice.

In which Odo, newly arrived in Rome, finds himself both bewitched and burdened by the city's magnificent contradictions and ancient grandeur, wandering through its layers of history and the clouded complacency of its society. His travels then carry him through the lively, sunlit landscapes of mid-Italy to the sparkling waterways of the Brenta, where the interplay of pleasure, art, and shifting com...

In which the cavaliere Odo finds himself unexpectedly immersed in the sparkling, theatrical splendour and complex social intrigues of Venetian high society, from the dazzling festivities at the Procuratessa Bra’s villa to the disarming contradictions of carnival and convent life. Amidst the city’s masked revelries and shifting alliances, a chance encounter with a cloistered acquaintance rekindles...

In which the delicate intrigues of court life conceal both political machinations and enigmatic rituals, leading a young man into a perilous engagement with mysterious forces and wary alliances. Against a backdrop of shadowed loyalties and unfolding threats, he grapples with the summons to a distant court and the unsettling spectacle of an arcane ceremony that blurs the line between spectacle and...

In which Odo Valsecca finds himself amid the vibrant and contrasting worlds of Naples and Monte Alloro, engaging with a variety of figures whose interplay of faith, intellect, and society reveals the complexities of their age. As he navigates encounters from antiquarian inquiries to the subtle intrigues of church and state, Odo experiences a thoughtful juxtaposition of passionate convictions and s...

In which the young kinsman Odo navigates the complex intrigues of Pianura’s court, balancing cautious alliances with reformist thinkers and the wary attentions of the Duke’s faction, all beneath the shadow of political and spiritual unrest. Amidst secret meetings and faded pleasure lodges, a chance encounter with the beguiling Maria Clementina stirs both peril and promise, drawing him deeper into...