Resting one hand on my shoulder, he pointed with the other toward the threshold of the ball-room — composite woodblock engraving for Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton's A Strange Story, first published simultaneously in All the Year Round and Harper's Weekly, Vol. V (26 October 1861), 11.2 cm. by 11.5 cm. (4 ⅜ inches by 4 ½ inches), p. 686. [Click on the image to enlarge it.]
Passage Illustrated: Sir Philip Derval points out Margrave descending to the ballroom
I feel privileged to avail myself of those mirrors on which things, near and far, reflect themselves calm and distinct as the banks and the mountain peak are reflected in the glass of a lake. Here, then, under this roof, and by your side, I shall behold him who — Lo! the moment has come, — I behold him now!”
As he spoke these last words, Sir Philip had risen, and, startled by his action and voice, I involuntarily rose, too. Resting one hand on my shoulder, he pointed with the other towards the threshold of the ballroom. There, the prominent figure of a gay group — the sole male amidst a fluttering circle of silks and lawn, of flowery wreaths, of female loveliness and female frippery — stood the radiant image of Margrave. His eyes were not turned towards us. He was looking down, and his light laugh came soft, yet ringing, through the general murmur.
I turned my astonished gaze back to Sir Philip; yes, unmistakably it was on Margrave that his look was fixed. Impossible to associate crime with the image of that fair youth! Eccentric notions, fantastic speculations, vivacious egotism, defective benevolence, — yes. But crime! No! impossible! [Chapter XXXI, p. 686]
Commentary: Sir Philip Derval, just returned from the Continent, points out Margrave
Since Bulwer gives us few clues as to Sir Philip Derval's appearance, other than his age, McLenan must improvise. Certainly his expansive forehead is suggestive of his massive intellect, and his white hair with receding hairline is in sharp contrast to Allen Fenwick's youthful hairline and darker coloration. The old traveller points vigorously toward Margrave as he descends the grand staircase into the ballroom of the mayor's mansion. The commanding gesture is the culmination of his animated discussion with Fenwick about mesmerism and clairvoyance as he encountered them in the East.
By Sir Philip's account, in the East he encountered an Arab child who, in a trance, revealed that the English traveller should return to L — and seek out Dr. Allen Fenwick as his natural ally against Margrave, evil incarnate, who would be in the same place. As the chapter closes, Fenwick facilitates a meeting between Sir Philip and Margrave alone in the natural history room.
Scanned image and text by Philip V. Allingham. [You may use the image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the person who scanned it and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one.]
Bibliography
Bulwer-Lytton, Edward G. D. A Strange Story. Illustrated by John McLenan. Harper's Weekly V, 10 August — 8 March 1862.
Bulwer-Lytton, Edward G. D. A Strange Story. Illustrated by F. O. Freeman and J. N. Hyde. Boston: Gardner A. Fuller, 1862.
Bulwer Lytton, Edward (Lord Lytton). A Strange Story. The Works of Edward Bulwer Lytton, Vol. VII. New York: P. F. Collier, n. d. Pp. 7-242.
Lytton, Victor A. (Lord Lytton). The Life of Edward Bulwer, First Lord Lytton. Vol. II. London: Macmillan, 1913.
Created 21 November 2007 Last modified 1 August 2026