"St. Leon: A Tale of the Sixteenth Century" by William Godwin is a novel published in 1799. Count Reginald de St. Leon narrates his tumultuous life—from military glory to gambling ruin, from family redemption to devastating loss. When a mysterious stranger fleeing the Inquisition offers him the secrets of immortality and infinite wealth, Reginald accepts a gift that will separate him from everything he loves. Unable to share his burden, he watches suspicion and tragedy consume his family as his inexplicable fortune raises dangerous questions. (This is an automatically generated summary.)