William Makepeace Thackeray 
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. 

About the author

William Makepeace Thackeray (1811–1863), a British satirical writer, also wrote magazine articles and travel books. His most devoted readers were lords and ladies, whom he satirized in his works. He is best known for his novels Vanity Fair and The Luck of Barry Lyndon, which skewer the pretensions of English high society.