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No. XIII; or, The Story of the Lost Vestal: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition

No. XIII; or, The Story of the Lost Vestal: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

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AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject

No. XIII; or, The Story of the Lost Vestal is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Marshall, Emma (1830–1899).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"No. XIII; or, The Story of the Lost Vestal" by Emma Marshall is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The story delves into the life and trials of a lost Vestal Virgin, identified only as "Number Thirteen," who confronts the intersection of ancient paganism and the early Christian faith. The narrative unfolds amidst the backdrop of Roman Britain, exploring themes of faith, sacrifice, and the struggles of women in a tumultuous society. At the start of the novel, the city of Verulam is depicted in a strange silence as its streets empty out, with citizens flocking to witness a public execution. The scene is set in the home of Severus, a Roman noble, where his wife, Cæcilia, and their daughter, Hyacintha, remain oblivious to the grim event unfolding outside. Amidst conversations about the expected death of the martyr Alban, we are introduced to Ebba, the British slave, who grapples with her feelings about the persecuted Christians. The opening establishes a rich blend of personal concerns and societal issues, hinting at the deep conflicts that will arise as the characters navigate the dangers of religious persecution and societal expectations.

Book and edition facts

  • Title: No. XIII; or, The Story of the Lost Vestal
  • Author credits: Marshall, Emma (1830–1899)
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • Christian converts -- Fiction
  • Rome -- History -- Empire, 30 B.C.-476 A.D. -- Fiction
  • Vestal virgins -- Fiction

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: Historical Novels

Read this edition

View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.

Source notes

Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.

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