The Virginians (Barnes & Noble Digital Library): A Tale of the Last Century

Originally published in two volumes in 1858-59, this historical novel is a sequel to Henry Esmond and a prequel of sorts to Pendennis.  It follows Esmond's twin grandsons, George and Henry Warrington, as they try, in different ways, to crawl out from beneath the thumb of their mother. They may succeed—but they may also be seriously deceived.