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"I looked, and to my surprise I saw Margrave descending the stately stairs that led from the front door."
John McLenan
11.4 cm. by 11 cm. (4 ½ inches by 4 ⅜ inches)
Bulwer-Lytton's A Strange Story
Harper's Weekly 5 (19 October 1861): 670.
Image scan and text by Philip V. Allingham.
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“Your secret is quite safe with me. But is Sir Philip likely to come back?”
“I hope so, doctor. His letter is dated Paris, and that’s nearer home than he has been for many years; and — but bless me! some one is coming out of the house, — a young gentleman! Who can it be?”
I looked, and to my surprise I saw Margrave descending the stately stairs that led from the front door. The steward turned towards him, and I mechanically followed, for I was curious to know what had brought Margrave to the house of the long-absent traveller.
It was easily explained. Mr. Margrave had heard at L —— much of the pictures and internal decorations of the mansion. He had, by dint of coaxing (he said, with his enchanting laugh), persuaded the old housekeeper to show him the rooms. [Chapter XXVIII, p. 670]
We are permitted only a glimpse of the Vanbrugh-designed mansion in the background. Although Bulwer does not give a detailed description of the scene as Margrave descends the external grand staircase, he does mention the physician's tying his horse to the rusty gate of the terrace, and his proceeding up the steps to the great doors.
Dr. Fenwick's dialogue with Margrave occurs before the self-proclaimed arts enthusiast, having inspected the foyer and halls of the mansion once again (this, says the housekeeper, is his third visit), so that the physician is still on horseback, conversing with the steward, as Margrave exits. Apparently he has been studying some occult books near the fireplace in the library at the end of the state apartments. Rather than the paintings, for which Margrave actually has little taste, is it these works on astrology, geomancy, chiromancy, and so on that have attracted the traveller?
In this weekly illustration (and presumably throughout the rest of the series) McLenan has the problem of distinguishing the image of Margrave from that of Allen Fenwick, for both are fashionably dressed young men who will often be on horseback. They will frequently be visiting the same great houses in L ——, and attending the same social functions. McLenan seems to have hit upon the solution of giving Margrave no beard, but the doctor mutton-chop sideburns.
Bulwer-Lytton, Edward G. D. A Strange Story. Illustrated by John McLenan. Harper's Weekly V, 10 August — 8 March 1862.
Bulwer Lytton, Edward (Lord Lytton). A Strange Story. The Works of Edward Bulwer Lytton, Vol. VII. New York: P. F. Collier, n. d. Pp. 7-242.
Created 21 November 2007 Last modified 10 July 2025