Auriol Or The Elixir Of Life

""Auriol Or The Elixir Of Life"" is a novel by William Harrison Ainsworth, first published in 1844. The story is set in London in the 17th century and follows the life of a young man named Auriol Darcy. Auriol is a skilled swordsman and a member of the court of King Charles II. He is also deeply in love with a beautiful woman named Lady Sybil, who is engaged to another man.Auriol is approached by an alchemist who claims to have discovered the elixir of life, a potion that can grant immortality. Auriol becomes obsessed with the elixir and begins to seek out the alchemist's secrets. Along the way, he encounters a variety of characters, including a group of conspirators who are plotting against the king.As Auriol delves deeper into the world of alchemy, he becomes increasingly isolated from his friends and loved ones. He risks everything to obtain the elixir, including his own life. But when he finally achieves his goal, he realizes that immortality comes at a terrible price.""Auriol Or The Elixir Of Life"" is a thrilling tale of love, obsession, and the dangers of seeking eternal life. Ainsworth's vivid descriptions of 17th-century London and his complex characters make this novel a fascinating read for anyone interested in historical fiction or Gothic literature.On the night of the 1st of March, 1800, and at a late hour, a man, wrapped in a large horseman's cloak, and of strange and sinister appearance, entered an old deserted house in the neighbourhood of Stepney-green. He was tall, carried himself very erect, and seemed in the full vigour of early manhood; but his features had a worn and ghastly look, as if bearing the stamp of long-indulged and frightful excesses, while his dark gleaming eyes gave him an expression almost diabolical.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.