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Madame Flirt

by Charles Edward Pearce (?–1924)

  • Free to read
  • 5 hours to read
  • 27 chapters
  • Reading level: 6th grade

"Madame Flirt" by Charles Edward Pearce is a romance novel written in the early 20th century. The story appears to weave a tale steeped in the culture and vibrancy of London's historical setting, specifically around the infamous character of Lavinia Fenton, a street singer with dreams of a better life. The narrative hints at Lavinia's trials as she navigates her ambitions, her interactions with notable figures of the time, and the complexities of love and rivalry, particularly concerning her mother's control over her life. The opening of the novel introduces us to a lively scene at the Maiden Head Inn in St. Giles, where a group of men, including the poet John Gay and Lord Bolingbroke, are captivated by the singing of a young woman named Lavinia. Their admiration for her talent leads to discussions about her potential, and Gay's intention to help her escape her difficult circumstances becomes evident. As Lavinia finds herself in a tense confrontation with a rival, Sally Salisbury, the characters around her reveal the chaotic and often dangerous world she inhabits amidst the backdrop of 18th-century London. This setting promises an exploration of Lavinia's journey from humble beginnings to her aspirations for fame and love, against the odds presented by both her family and the society around her.

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  • Fenton, Lavinia, 1708-1760
  • Ballad opera

Read the opening

Chapter I: "If Your Name Isn't Polly It Ought to Be"

"As pretty a wench as man ever clapped eyes on. Wake up, Lance, and look at her."

The portly man of genial aspect sitting in the corner of the bow window of the Maiden Head Inn at the High Street end of Dyott Street in the very heart of St. Giles, clapped his sleeping friend on the shoulder and shook him. The sleeper, a young man whose finely drawn features were clouded with the dregs of wine, muttered something incoherently, and with an impatient twist shifted his body in the capacious arm-chair.

"Let him alone, Mr. Gay. When a man's in his cups he's best by himself. 'Twill take him a day's snoring to get rid of his bout. The landlord here tells me he walked with the mob from Newgate to Tyburn and back and refreshed himself at every tavern on the way, not forgetting, I warrant you, to fling away a guinea at the Bowl, the Lamb, and the 'Black Jack' over yonder, and drink to the long life of the daring rogue in the cart and the health of the hangman to boot."

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Contents

Show all 27 chapters
  1. Chapter I: "If Your Name Isn't Polly It Ought to Be"
  2. Chapter II: "Go Your Own Way You Ungrateful Minx"
  3. Chapter III: "Oh, Mistress Mine, Where Art Thou Roaming?"
  4. Chapter IV: "If We're Not to Be Married Tell Me"
  5. Chapter V
  6. Chapter VI
  7. Chapter VII: "I Wish I Were a Rich Lady for Your Sake"
  8. Chapter VIII: "You've a Mighty Coaxing Tongue"
  9. Chapter IX: "You Were Brave and Fought for Me"
  10. Chapter X
  11. Chapter XI
  12. Chapter XII: "Are Words the Only Signs of Love?"
  13. Chapter XIII: "I'm Fixed on Polly Peachum"
  14. Chapter XIV: "I Wish You Good Night and More Sense"
  15. Chapter XV: "A Man Should Fight His Way Through the World"
  16. Chapter XVI: "They're to Meet at Rosamond's Pond"
  17. Chapter XVII: "There Are So Many Ways of Making Love"
  18. Chapter XVIII: "Some Day You'll Be the Talk of the Town"
  19. Chapter XIX
  20. Chapter XX: "What Did I Tell Thee, Polly?"
  21. Chapter XXI: "If We Fight.... What Say You to Lavinia Fenton?"
  22. Chapter XXII: "Moll's Singin' Brought Her Luck and May Be Yours Will Too"
  23. Chapter XXIII: "Half London Will Be Calling You Polly"
  24. Chapter XXIV: "For the Second Time Vane Had Risked His Life for Her"
  25. Chapter XXV: "Mr. Rich Has Given Me an Engagement"
  26. Chapter XXVI: "Polly Is to Be My Name for Ever After"
  27. Chapter XXVII

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About this edition

This free edition of Madame Flirt by Charles Edward Pearce comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #18547, released 2006-06-10. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Historical Novels, Romance, British Literature.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).