Introduction

90
Vanessa Mangione
dandy, becomes now apparent. In contrast to other Regency dandies in the Silverfork
novels, however, Levison tastelessly overdresses: “He would wear diamond
shirt-studs, diamond pins; brilliants, all, of the first water” (55). Additionally, he
would put perfume on his gloves; he is a man full of excesses.
The following passage characterises Isabel’s feelings as explosive and energetic;
accordingly, at that moment of uncontrolled passion, she stands in the semiotic
realm.
Lady Isabel almost gnashed her teeth; jealous doubts which had been tormenting
her all evening were confirmed. That the man who she hated – yes,
in her blind anger, she hated him then – should so impose upon her, should
excuse himself by lies, lies base and false, from accompanying her, on purpose
to surpass the hours with Barbara Hare! Had she been alone in the
carriage, a torrent of passion had probably escaped her. (271)
Isabel’s feelings are portrayed as a ‘torrent’ that requires an explosive outlet. Levison
takes advantage of the situation and begins his seduction of Lady Isabel; in
this scene his dangerous nature is described at length:
He, that bold bad man, dared to put his arm around her; to draw her to his
side; to whisper that his love was left to her, if another’s was withdrawn.
She was most assuredly out of her senses that night or she never would
have listened.
A jealous woman is mad; an outraged woman is doubly mad; and the illfated
Lady Isabel truly believed that every sacred feeling which ought to exist
between man and wife was betrayed by Carlyle.
“Be avenged on that false hound, Isabel. He was never worthy of you.
Leave your life of misery, and come to happiness.”
In her bitter distress and wrath, she broke into a storm of sobs. Were they
caused by passion against her husband, or by these bold and shameless
words? Alas! alas! Francis Levison applied himself to soothe her with all the
sweet and dangerous sophistry of his crafty nature. (271)
Consequently, Isabel does both: she listens to Levison’s false promises and gives
in to her own sexual desires. The affair however, is only short lived. After he conquers
her, he loses all interest in Isabel. They elope to France where he leaves her
alone for most of the time, and Isabel quickly starts to regret her action. Her sexual
desire soon dies away and is replaced by a growing repulsion. In his meaningless
cruelty, he confesses that he has lied to her and that she had never really had a
reason to doubt her husband’s faithfulness. Although he had promised to marry
her when she got pregnant, she finds out that he has no intention to do so and
that her child will be illegitimate. As soon as Levison inherits his long awaited title
and fortune, he abandons Isabel completely. At this point, she has already stopped
caring for herself but she still hopes that he will be willing to marry her for their