
The House by the Church-Yard
Secrets Unveiled in a Haunting Irish TownBy Joseph Sheridan Le FanuLength18h 5m
About this audiobook
In 'The House by the Church-Yard,' Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu masterfully weaves a tapestry of Gothic horror and psychological drama set against the backdrop of a small Irish village. The novel employs a rich, atmospheric prose style, interspersed with elements of dark humor and pathos, capturing the complexities of human desires and fears. The interplay between the supernatural and the mundane reflects the Victorian preoccupation with death, an anxiety heightened by the turbulent social and political landscape of 19th-century Ireland. Through its intricate characterizations and interlacing narratives, Le Fanu not only entertains but also invites profound reflection on mortality and legacy. Le Fanu, a contemporary of literary giants such as Charles Dickens, was deeply influenced by the folklore and eerie tales of his Irish heritage. His background in Gothic fiction and his passion for exploring the uncanny enabled him to craft this profound narrative, which combines local color and cultural critiques. An adept journalist and playwright, Le Fanu'Äôs works often engage with themes of madness and the supernatural, stemming from his keen interest in the psychological intricacies of human nature. Readers who appreciate finely tuned narratives rich in atmosphere and psychological depth will find 'The House by the Church-Yard' both captivating and intellectually stimulating. The novel stands as a significant contribution to the Gothic genre, offering not just thrilling encounters with the unknown but also a poignant exploration of the human condition, making it essential for enthusiasts of classic literature.
Audiobook details
GenreHorror, Mystery and Thriller
Length18 hrs 5 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 20, 2019
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
53CHAPTER XLIX.: SWANS IN THE WATER.
2A PROLOGUE—BEING A DISH OF VILLAGE CHAT.
54CHAPTER L.: TREATING OF SOME CONFUSION, IN CONSEQUENCE, IN THE CLUB-ROOM OF THE PHŒNIX AND ELSEWHERE, AND OF A HAT THAT WAS PICKED UP.
3CHAPTER I.: THE RECTOR'S NIGHT-WALK TO HIS CHURCH.
55CHAPTER LI.: HOW CHARLES NUTTER'S TEA, PIPE, AND TOBACCO-BOX WERE ALL SET OUT FOR HIM IN THE SMALL PARLOUR AT THE MILLS; AND HOW THAT NIGHT WAS PASSED IN THE HOUSE BY THE CHURCH-YARD.
4CHAPTER II.: THE NAMELESS COFFIN.
56CHAPTER LII.: CONCERNING A ROULEAU OF GUINEAS AND THE CRACK OF A PISTOL.
5CHAPTER III.: MR. MERVYN IN HIS INN.
57CHAPTER LIII.: RELATING AFTER WHAT FASHION DR. STURK CAME HOME.
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6CHAPTER IV.: THE FAIR-GREEN OF PALMERSTOWN.
58CHAPTER LIV.: IN WHICH MISS MAGNOLIA MACNAMARA AND DR. TOOLE, IN DIFFERENT SCENES, PROVE THEMSELVES GOOD SAMARITANS; AND THE GREAT DOCTOR PELL MOUNTS THE STAIRS OF THE HOUSE BY THE CHURCH-YARD.
7CHAPTER V.: HOW THE ROYAL IRISH ARTILLERY ENTERTAINED SOME OF THE NEIGHBOURS AT DINNER.
59CHAPTER LV.: IN WHICH DR. TOOLE, IN FULL COSTUME, STANDS UPON THE HEARTH-STONE OF THE CLUB, AND ILLUMINATES THE COMPANY WITH HIS BACK TO THE FIRE.
8CHAPTER VI.: IN WHICH THE MINSTRELSY PROCEEDS.
60CHAPTER LVI.: DOCTOR WALSINGHAM AND THE CHAPELIZOD CHRISTIANS MEET TO THE SOUND OF THE HOLY BELL, AND A VAMPIRE SITS IN THE CHURCH.
9CHAPTER VII.: SHOWING HOW TWO GENTLEMEN MAY MISUNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER, WITHOUT ENABLING THE COMPANY TO UNDERSTAND THEIR QUARREL.
61CHAPTER LVII.: IN WHICH DR. TOOLE AND MR. LOWE MAKE A VISIT AT THE MILLS, AND RECOGNISE SOMETHING REMARKABLE WHILE THERE.
10CHAPTER VIII.: RELATING HOW DOCTOR TOOLE AND CAPTAIN DEVEREUX WENT ON A MOONLIGHT ERRAND.
62CHAPTER LVIII.: IN WHICH ONE OF LITTLE BOPEEP'S SHEEP COMES HOME AGAIN, AND VARIOUS THEORIES ARE ENTERTAINED RESPECTING CHARLES NUTTER AND LIEUTENANT PUDDOCK.
11CHAPTER IX.: HOW A SQUIRE WAS FOUND FOR THE KNIGHT OF THE RUEFUL COUNTENANCE.
63CHAPTER LIX.: TELLING HOW A COACH DREW UP AT THE ELMS, AND TWO FINE LADIES, DRESSED FOR THE BALL, STEPPED IN.
12CHAPTER X.: THE DEAD SECRET, SHOWING HOW THE FIREWORKER PROVED TO PUDDOCK THAT NUTTER HAD SPIED OUT THE NAKEDNESS OF THE LAND.
64CHAPTER LX.: BEING A CHAPTER OF HOOPS, FEATHERS, AND BRILLIANTS, AND BUCKS AND FIDDLERS.
13CHAPTER XI.: SOME TALK ABOUT THE HAUNTED HOUSE—BEING, AS I SUPPOSE, ONLY OLD WOMAN'S TALES.
65CHAPTER LXI.: IN WHICH THE GHOSTS OF A BY-GONE SIN KEEP TRYST.
14CHAPTER XII.: SOME ODD FACTS ABOUT THE TILED HOUSE—BEING AN AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE OF THE GHOST OF A HAND.
66CHAPTER LXII.: OF A SOLEMN RESOLUTION WHICH CAPTAIN DEVEREUX REGISTERED AMONG HIS HOUSEHOLD GODS, WITH A LIBATION.
15CHAPTER XIII.: IN WHICH THE RECTOR VISITS THE TILED HOUSE, AND DOCTOR TOOLE LOOKS AFTER THE BRASS CASTLE.
67CHAPTER LXIII.: IN WHICH A LIBERTY IS TAKEN WITH MR. NUTTER'S NAME, AND MR. DANGERFIELD STANDS AT THE ALTAR.
16CHAPTER XIV.: RELATING HOW PUDDOCK PURGED O'FLAHERTY'S HEAD—A CHAPTER WHICH, IT IS HOPED, NO GENTEEL PERSON WILL READ.
68CHAPTER LXIV.: BEING A NIGHT SCENE, IN WHICH MISS GERTRUDE CHATTESWORTH, BEING ADJURED BY AUNT BECKY, MAKES ANSWER.
17CHAPTER XV.: ÆSCULAPIUS TO THE RESCUE.
69CHAPTER LXV.: RELATING SOME AWFUL NEWS THAT REACHED THE VILLAGE, AND HOW DR. WALSINGHAM VISITED CAPTAIN RICHARD DEVEREUX AT HIS LODGINGS.
18CHAPTER XVI.: THE ORDEAL BY BATTLE.
70CHAPTER LXVI.: OF A CERTAIN TEMPEST THAT AROSE AND SHOOK THE CAPTAIN'S SPOONS AND TEA-CUPS; AND HOW THE WIND SUDDENLY WENT DOWN.
19CHAPTER XVII.: LIEUTENANT PUDDOCK RECEIVES AN INVITATION AND A RAP OVER THE KNUCKLES.
71CHAPTER LXVII.: IN WHICH A CERTAIN TROUBLED SPIRIT WALKS.
20CHAPTER XVIII.: RELATING HOW THE GENTLEMEN SAT OVER THEIR CLARET, AND HOW DR. STURK SAW A FACE.
72CHAPTER LXVIII.: HOW AN EVENING PASSES AT THE ELMS, AND DR. TOOLE MAKES A LITTLE EXCURSION; AND TWO CHOICE SPIRITS DISCOURSE, AND HEBE TRIPS IN WITH THE NECTAR.
21CHAPTER XIX.: IN WHICH THE GENTLEMEN FOLLOW THE LADIES.
73CHAPTER LXIX.: CONCERNING A SECOND HURRICANE THAT RAGED IN CAPTAIN DEVEREUX'S DRAWING-ROOM, AND RELATING HOW MRS. IRONS WAS ATTACKED WITH A SORT OF CHOKING IN HER BED.
22CHAPTER XX.: IN WHICH MR. DANGERFIELD VISITS THE CHURCH OF CHAPELIZOD, AND ZEKIEL IRONS GOES A FISHING.
74CHAPTER LXX.: IN WHICH AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR IS SEEN. IN THE CEDAR-PARLOUR OF THE TILED HOUSE, AND THE STORY OF MR. BEAUCLERC AND THE 'FLOWER DE LUCE' BEGINS TO BE UNFOLDED.
23CHAPTER XXI.: RELATING AMONG OTHER THINGS HOW DOCTOR TOOLE WALKED UP TO THE TILED HOUSE; AND OF HIS PLEASANT DISCOURSE WITH MR. MERVYN.
75CHAPTER LXXI.: IN WHICH MR. IRONS'S NARRATIVE REACHES MERTON MOOR.
24CHAPTER XXII.: TELLING HOW MR. MERVYN FARED AT BELMONT, AND OF A PLEASANT LITTLE DEJEUNER BY THE MARGIN OF THE LIFFEY.
76CHAPTER LXXII.: IN WHICH THE APPARITION OF MR. IRONS IS SWALLOWED IN DARKNESS.
25CHAPTER XXIII.: WHICH CONCERNS THE GRAND DINNER AT THE KING'S HOUSE, AND WHO WERE THERE, AND SOMETHING OF THEIR TALK, REVERIES, DISPUTES, AND GENERAL JOLLITY.
77CHAPTER LXXIII.: CONCERNING A CERTAIN GENTLEMAN, WITH A BLACK PATCH OVER HIS EYE, WHO MADE SOME VISITS WITH A LADY, IN CHAPELIZOD AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD.
26CHAPTER XXIV.
78CHAPTER LXXIV.: IN WHICH DOCTOR TOOLE, IN HIS BOOTS, VISITS MR. GAMBLE, AND SEES AN UGLY CLIENT OF THAT GENTLEMAN'S; AND SOMETHING CROSSES AN EMPTY ROOM.
27IN WHICH TWO YOUNG PERSONS UNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER BETTER, PERHAPS, THAN EVER THEY DID BEFORE, WITHOUT SAYING SO.
79CHAPTER LXXV.: HOW A GENTLEMAN PAID A VISIT AT THE BRASS CASTLE, AND THERE READ A PARAGRAPH IN AN OLD NEWSPAPER.
28FOOTNOTE:
80CHAPTER LXXVI.: RELATING HOW THE CASTLE WAS TAKEN, AND HOW MISTRESS MOGGY TOOK HEART OF GRACE.
29CHAPTER XXV.: IN WHICH THE SUN SETS, AND THE MERRY-MAKING IS KEPT UP BY CANDLE-LIGHT IN THE KING'S HOUSE, AND LILY RECEIVES A WARNING WHICH SHE DOES NOT COMPREHEND.
81CHAPTER LXXVII.: IN WHICH IRISH MELODY PREVAILS.
30CHAPTER XXVI.: RELATING HOW THE BAND OF THE ROYAL IRISH ARTILLERY PLAYED, AND, WHILE THE MUSIC WAS GOING ON, HOW VARIOUSLY DIFFERENT PEOPLE WERE MOVED.
82CHAPTER LXXVIII.: IN WHICH, WHILE THE HARMONY CONTINUES IN FATHER ROACH'S FRONT PARLOUR, A FEW DISCORDS ARE INTRODUCED ELSEWHERE; AND DOCTOR TOOLE ARRIVES IN THE MORNING WITH A MARVELLOUS BUDGET OF NEWS.
31CHAPTER XXVII.: CONCERNING THE TROUBLES AND THE SHAPES THAT BEGAN TO GATHER ABOUT DOCTOR STURK.
83CHAPTER LXXIX.: SHOWING HOW LITTLE LILY'S LIFE BEGAN TO CHANGE INTO A RETROSPECT; AND HOW ON A SUDDEN SHE BEGAN TO FEEL BETTER.
32CHAPTER XXVIII.: IN WHICH MR. IRONS RECOUNTS SOME OLD RECOLLECTIONS ABOUT THE PIED HORSE AND THE FLOWER DE LUCE.
84CHAPTER LXXX.: IN WHICH TWO ACQUAINTANCES BECOME, ON A SUDDEN, MARVELLOUSLY FRIENDLY IN THE CHURCH-YARD; AND MR. DANGERFIELD SMOKES A PIPE IN THE BRASS CASTLE, AND RESOLVES THAT THE DUMB SHALL SPEAK.
33CHAPTER XXIX.: SHOWING HOW POOR MRS. MACNAMARA WAS TROUBLED AND HAUNTED TOO, AND OPENING A BUDGET OF GOSSIP.
85CHAPTER LXXXI.: IN WHICH MR. DANGERFIELD RECEIVES A VISITOR, AND MAKES A CALL.
34CHAPTER XXX.: CONCERNING A CERTAIN WOMAN IN BLACK.
86CHAPTER LXXXII.: IN WHICH MR. PAUL DANGERFIELD PAYS HIS RESPECTS AND COMPLIMENTS AT BELMONT; WHERE OTHER VISITORS ALSO PRESENT THEMSELVES.
35CHAPTER XXXI.: BEING A SHORT HISTORY OF THE GREAT BATTLE OF BELMONT THAT LASTED FOR SO MANY DAYS, WHEREIN THE BELLIGERENTS SHOWED SO MUCH CONSTANCY AND VALOUR, AND SOMETIMES ONE SIDE AND SOMETIMES T'OTHER WAS VICTORIOUS.
87CHAPTER LXXXIII.: IN WHICH THE KNIGHT OF THE SILVER SPECTACLES MAKES THE ACQUAINTANCE OF THE SAGE 'BLACK DILLON,' AND CONFERS WITH HIM IN HIS RETREAT.
36CHAPTER XXXII.: NARRATING HOW LIEUTENANT PUDDOCK AND CAPTAIN DEVEREUX BREWED A BOWL OF PUNCH, AND HOW THEY SANG AND DISCOURSED TOGETHER.
88CHAPTER LXXXIV.: IN WHICH CHRISTIANA GOES OVER; AND DAN LOFTUS COMES HOME.
37CHAPTER XXXIII.: IN WHICH CAPTAIN DEVEREUX'S FIDDLE PLAYS A PRELUDE TO 'OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY.'
89CHAPTER LXXXV.: IN WHICH CAPTAIN DEVEREUX HEARS THE NEWS; AND MR. DANGERFIELD MEETS AN OLD FRIEND AFTER DINNER.
38CHAPTER XXXIV.: IN WHICH LILIAS HEARS A STAVE OF AN OLD SONG AND THERE IS A LEAVE-TAKING BESIDE THE RIVER.
90CHAPTER LXXXVI.: IN WHICH MR. PAUL DANGERFIELD MOUNTS THE STAIRS OF THE HOUSE BY THE CHURCH-YARD, AND MAKES SOME ARRANGEMENTS.
39CHAPTER XXXV.: IN WHICH AUNT BECKY AND DOCTOR TOOLE, IN FULL BLOW, WITH DOMINICK, THE FOOTMAN, BEHIND THEM, VISIT MISS LILY AT THE ELMS.
91CHAPTER LXXXVII.: IN WHICH TWO COMRADES ARE TETE-A-TETE IN THEIR OLD QUARTERS, AND DOCTOR STURK'S CUE IS CUT OFF, AND A CONSULTATION COMMENCES.
40CHAPTER XXXVI.: NARRATING HOW MISS LILIAS VISITED BELMONT, AND SAW A STRANGE COCKED-HAT IN THE SHADOW BY THE WINDOW.
92CHAPTER LXXXVIII.: IN WHICH MR. MOORE THE BARBER ARRIVES, AND THE MEDICAL GENTLEMEN LOCK THE DOOR.
41CHAPTER XXXVII.: SHOWING HOW SOME OF THE FEUDS IN CHAPELIZOD WAXED FIERCER, AND OTHERS WERE SOLEMNLY CONDONED.
93CHAPTER LXXXIX.: IN WHICH A CERTAIN SONGSTER TREATS THE COMPANY TO A DOLOROUS BALLAD WHEREBY MR. IRONS IS SOMEWHAT MOVED.
42CHAPTER XXXVIII.: DREAMS AND TROUBLES, AND A DARK LOOK-OUT.
94CHAPTER XC.: MR. PAUL DANGERFIELD HAS SOMETHING ON HIS MIND, AND CAPTAIN DEVEREUX RECEIVES A MESSAGE.
43CHAPTER XXXIX.: TELLING HOW LILIAS WALSINGHAM FOUND TWO LADIES AWAITING HER ARRIVAL AT THE ELMS.
95CHAPTER XCI.: CONCERNING CERTAIN DOCUMENTS WHICH REACHED MR. MERVYN, AND THE WITCHES' REVELS AT THE MILLS.
44CHAPTER XL.: OF A MESSENGER FROM CHAPELIZOD VAULT WHO WAITED IN THE TYLED HOUSE FOR MR. MERVYN.
96CHAPTER XCII.: THE WHER-WOLF.
45CHAPTER XLI.: IN WHICH THE RECTOR COMES HOME, AND LILY SPEAKS HER MIND, AND TIME GLIDES ON, AND AUNT REBECCA CALLS AT THE ELMS.
97CHAPTER XCIII.: IN WHICH DOCTOR TOOLE AND DIRTY DAVY CONFER IN THE BLUE-ROOM.
46CHAPTER XLII.: IN WHICH DR. STURK TRIES THIS WAY AND THAT FOR A REPRIEVE ON THE EVE OF EXECUTION.
98CHAPTER XCIV.: WHAT DOCTOR STURK BROUGHT TO MIND, AND ALL THAT DOCTOR TOOLE HEARD AT MR. LUKE GAMBLE'S.
47CHAPTER XLIII.: SHOWING HOW CHARLES NUTTER'S BLOW DESCENDED, AND WHAT PART THE SILVER SPECTACLES BORE IN THE CRISIS.
99CHAPTER XCV.: IN WHICH DOCTOR PELL DECLINES A FEE, AND DOCTOR STURK A PRESCRIPTION.
48CHAPTER XLIV.: RELATING HOW, IN THE WATCHES OF THE NIGHT, A VISION CAME TO STURK, AND HIS EYES WERE OPENED.
100CHAPTER XCVI.: ABOUT THE RIGHTFUL MRS. NUTTER OF THE MILLS, AND HOW MR. MERVYN RECEIVED THE NEWS.
49CHAPTER XLV.: CONCERNING A LITTLE REHEARSAL IN CAPTAIN CLUFFE'S, LODGING, AND A CERTAIN CONFIDENCE BETWEEN DR. STURK AND MR. DANGERFIELD.
101CHAPTER XCVII.: IN WHICH OBEDIAH ARRIVES.
50CHAPTER XLVI.: THE CLOSET SCENE, WITH THE PART OF POLONIUS OMITTED.
102CHAPTER XCVIII.: IN WHICH CHARLES ARCHER PUTS HIMSELF UPON THE COUNTRY.
51CHAPTER XLVII.: IN WHICH PALE HECATE VISITS THE MILLS, AND CHARLES NUTTER, ESQ., ORDERS TEA.
103CHAPTER XCIX.
52CHAPTER XLVIII.: SWANS ON THE WATER.
104THE STORY ENDS.: THE END