Godolphin, Volume 4.

"Godolphin, Volume 4" by Edward Bulwer Lytton is a novel likely written in the mid-19th century. This installment follows the complex character Percy Godolphin as he grapples with feelings of love, self-doubt, and moral conflict, particularly concerning his relationship with Lucilla, a woman whose innocence and devotion challenge his perceptions of virtue and happiness. At the start of the narrative, Godolphin is preparing to leave Rome, consumed by thoughts of Lucilla and the letter he sent her expressing his feelings; however, he is distressed over her lack of response. The emotional turmoil exacerbates as he reflects on the implications of their love, fearing that she may be drawn to more worldly suitors. His inner conflict deepens, compounded by his return to solitude after their parting. The initial chapters suggest a profound exploration of themes such as the nature of love, self-sacrifice, and the burdens of societal expectations, framed through Godolphin’s struggles with his desires and his sense of honor. The stage is set for a deeper examination of the dynamics between Godolphin, Lucilla, and the expectations of the world around them. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton,, was an English writer and politician. He served as a Whig member of Parliament from 1831 to 1841 and a Conservative from 1851 to 1866. He was Secretary of State for the Colonies from June 1858 to June 1859, choosing Richard Clement Moody as founder of British Columbia. He was created Baron Lytton of Knebworth in 1866.