Title : The Project Gutenberg Complete Works of Gilbert Parker
Author : Gilbert Parker
Release date
: August 1, 2004 [eBook #6300]
Most recently updated: December 18, 2022
Language : English
Credits : David Widger
Quotes & Images |
INTRODUCTION |
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THE HOUSE WITH THE BROKEN SHUTTER THREE COMMANDMENTS IN THE VULGAR TONGUE |
WHEN THE SWALLOWS HOMEWARD FLY A MAN, A FAMINE, AND A HEATHEN BOY |
BOOK I. | BELOW THE SUN LINE |
CHAPTER I. | THE GATES OF THE SEA |
CHAPTER II. | "MOTLEY IS YOUR ONLY WEAR" |
CHAPTER III. | A TALE OF NO MAN’S SEA |
CHAPTER IV. | THE TRAIL OF THE ISHMAELITE |
CHAPTER V. | ACCUSING FACES |
CHAPTER VI. | MUMMERS ALL |
CHAPTER VII. | THE WHEEL COMES FULL CIRCLE |
CHAPTER VIII. | A BRIDGE OF PERIL |
CHAPTER IX. | "THE PROGRESS OF THE SUNS" |
CHAPTER X. | BETWEEN DAY AND DARK |
BOOK II. | THE SLOPE OF THE PACIFIC |
CHAPTER XI. | AMONG THE HILLS OF GOD |
CHAPTER XII. | THE WHIRLIGIG OF TIME |
CHAPTER XIII. | THE SONG OF THE SAW |
CHAPTER XIV. | THE PATH OF THE EAGLE |
CHAPTER XV. | IN THE TROUGH OF THE WINDS |
CHAPTER XVI. | A DUEL IN ARCADY |
CHAPTER XVII. | RIDING THE REEFS |
CHAPTER XVIII. | THE STRINGS OF DESTINY |
CHAPTER XIX. | THE SENTENCE |
CHAPTER XX. | AFTER THE STORM |
CHAPTER XXI. | IN PORT |
I. | THE CHOOSING OF THE MESSENGER |
II. | "REST AT THE KOONGAT BRIDGE AN HOUR" |
III. | THE CODE OF THE HILLS |
IV. | BY THE OLD WELL OF JAHAR |
V. | CHOOSE YE WHOM YE WILL SERVE |
VI. | CONCERNING THE DAUGHTER OF CUSHNAN DI |
VII. | THE RED PLAGUE |
VIII. | THE CHOOSING OF THE DAKOON |
IX. | THE PROPHET OF PEACE |
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INTRODUCTION
WHEN VALMOND CAME TO PONTIAC
INTRODUCTION
THE TRANSLATION OF A SAVAGE
CHAPTER I. | HIS GREAT MISTAKE |
CHAPTER II. | A DIFFICULT SITUATION |
CHAPTER III. | OUT OF THE NORTH |
CHAPTER IV. | IN THE NAME OF THE FAMILY |
CHAPTER V. | AN AWKWARD HALF-HOUR |
CHAPTER VI. | THE PASSING OF THE YEARS |
CHAPTER VII. | A COURT-MARTIAL |
CHAPTER VIII. | TO EVERY MAN HIS HOUR |
CHAPTER IX. | THE FAITH OF COMRADES |
CHAPTER X. | THOU KNOWEST THE SECRETS OF OUR HEARTS |
CHAPTER XI. | UPON THE HIGHWAY |
CHAPTER XII. | "THE CHASE OF THE YELLOW SWAN" |
CHAPTER XIII. | A LIVING POEM |
CHAPTER XIV. | ON THE EDGE OF A FUTURE |
CHAPTER XV. | THE END OF THE TRAIL |
INTRODUCTION
TO DOUGLAS ROBINSON, Esq.,
THE TRESPASSER
CHAPTER I. | ONE IN SEARCH OF A KINGDOM |
CHAPTER II. | IN WHICH HE CLAIMS HIS OWN |
CHAPTER III. | HE TELLS THE STORY OF HIS LIFE |
CHAPTER IV. | AN HOUR WITH HIS FATHER’S PAST |
CHAPTER V. | WHEREIN HE FINDS HIS ENEMY |
CHAPTER VI. | WHICH TELLS OF STRANGE ENCOUNTERS |
CHAPTER VII. | WHEREIN THE SEAL OF HIS HERITAGE IS SET |
CHAPTER VIII. | HE ANSWERS AN AWKWARD QUESTION |
CHAPTER IX. | HE FINDS NEW SPONSORS |
CHAPTER X. | HE COMES TO "THE WAKING OF THE FIRE" |
CHAPTER XI. | HE MAKES A GALLANT CONQUEST |
CHAPTER XII. | HE STANDS BETWEEN TWO WORLDS |
CHAPTER XIII. | HE JOURNEYS AFAR |
CHAPTER XIV. | IN WHICH THE PAST IS REPEATED |
CHAPTER XV. | WHEREIN IS SEEN THE OLD ADAM AND THE GARDEN |
CHAPTER XVI. | WHEREIN LOVE KNOWS NO LAW SAVE THE MAN’S WILL |
CHAPTER XVII. | THE MAN AND THE WOMAN FACE THE INTOLERABLE |
CHAPTER XVIII. | "RETURN, O SHULAMITE!" |
INTRODUCTION TO THE IMPERIAL EDITION
I. | AN ESCORT TO THE CITADEL |
II. | THE MASTER OF THE KING’S MAGAZINE |
III. | THE WAGER AND THE SWORD |
IV. | THE RAT IN THE TRAP |
V. | THE DEVICE OF THE DORMOUSE |
VI. | MORAY TELLS THE STORY OF HIS LIFE |
VII. | "QUOTH LITTLE GARAINE" |
VIII. | AS VAIN AS ABSALOM |
IX. | A LITTLE CONCERNING THE CHEVALIER DE LA DARANTE |
X. | AN OFFICER OF MARINES |
XI. | THE COMING OF DOLTAIRE |
XII. | "THE POINT ENVENOMED TOO!" |
XIII. | "A LITTLE BOAST" |
XIV. | ARGAND COURNAL. |
XV. | IN THE CHAMBER OF TORTURE |
XVI. | BE SAINT OR IMP |
XVII. | THROUGH THE BARS OF THE CAGE |
XVIII. | THE STEEP PATH OF CONQUEST |
XIX. | A DANSEUSE AND THE BASTILE |
XX. | UPON THE RAMPARTS |
XXI. | LA JONGLEUSE |
XXII. | THE LORD OF KAMARSKA |
XXIII. | WITH WOLFE AT MONTMORENCI. |
XXIV. | THE SACRED COUNTERSIGN |
XXV. | IN THE CATHEDRAL. |
XXVI. | THE SECRET OF THE TAPESTRY |
XXVII. | A SIDE-WIND OF REVENGE |
XXVIII. | "TO CHEAT THE DEVIL YET." |
XXIX. | "MASTER DEVIL" DOLTAIRE |
XXX. | "WHERE ALL THE LOVERS CAN HIDE" |
APPENDIX. | |
IN FRANCE—NEAR FIVE MONTHS AFTER |
INTRODUCTION
THE LANE THAT HAD NO TURNING
CHAPTER I. | THE RETURN OF MADELINETTE |
CHAPTER II. | WHEN THE RED-COATS CAME |
CHAPTER III. | "MAN TO MAN AND STEEL TO STEEL" |
CHAPTER IV. | MADELINETTE MAKES A DISCOVERY |
CHAPTER V. | WHAT WILL SHE DO WITH IT? |
CHAPTER VI. | THE ONE WHO SAW |
CHAPTER VII. | THE PURSUIT |
CHAPTER VIII. | FACE TO FACE |
CHAPTER IX. | THE BITER BITTEN |
CHAPTER X. | THE DOOR THAT WOULD NOT OPEN |
THE ABSURD ROMANCE OF P’TITE LOUISON |
INTRODUCTION
NOTE
THE RIGHT OF WAY
CHAPTER I. | THE WAY TO THE VERDICT |
CHAPTER II. | WHAT CAME OF THE TRIAL |
CHAPTER III. | AFTER FIVE YEARS |
CHAPTER IV. | CHARLEY MAKES A DISCOVERY |
CHAPTER V. | THE WOMAN IN HELIOTROPE |
CHAPTER VI. | THE WIND AND THE SHORN LAMB |
CHAPTER VII. | "PEACE, PEACE, AND THERE IS NO PEACE" |
CHAPTER VIII. | THE COST OF THE ORNAMENT |
CHAPTER IX. | OLD DEBTS FOR NEW |
CHAPTER X. | THE WAY IN AND THE WAY OUT |
CHAPTER XI. | THE RAISING OF THE CURTAIN |
CHAPTER XII. | THE COMING OF ROSALIE |
CHAPTER XIII. | HOW CHARLEY WENT ADVENTURING AND WHAT HE FOUND |
CHAPTER XIV. | ROSALIE, CHARLEY, AND THE MAN THE WIDOW PLOMONDON JILTED |
CHAPTER XV. | THE MARK IN THE PAPER |
CHAPTER XVI. | MADAME DAUPHIN HAS A MISSION |
CHAPTER XVII. | THE TAILOR MAKES A MIDNIGHT FORAY |
CHAPTER XVIII. | THE STEALING OF THE CROSS |
CHAPTER XIX. | THE SIGN FROM HEAVEN |
CHAPTER XX. | THE RETURN OF THE TAILOR |
CHAPTER XXI. | THE CURE HAS AN INSPIRATION |
CHAPTER XXII. | THE WOMAN WHO SAW |
CHAPTER XXIII. | THE WOMAN WHO DID NOT TELL |
CHAPTER XXIV. | THE SEIGNEUR TAKES A HAND IN THE GAME |
CHAPTER XXV. | THE COLONEL TELLS HIS STORY |
CHAPTER XXVI. | A SONG, A BOTTLE, AND A GHOST |
CHAPTER XXVII. | OUT ON THE OLD TRAIL |
CHAPTER XXVIII. | THE SEIGNEUR GIVES A WARNING |
CHAPTER XXIX. | THE WILD RIDE |
CHAPTER XXX. | ROSALIE WARNS CHARLEY |
CHAPTER XXXI. | CHARLEY STANDS AT BAY |
CHAPTER XXXII. | JO PORTUGAIS TELLS A STORY |
CHAPTER XXXIII. | THE EDGE OF LIFE |
CHAPTER XXXIV. | IN AMBUSH |
CHAPTER XXXV. | THE COMING OF MAXIMILIAN COUR AND ANOTHER |
CHAPTER XXXVI. | BARRIERS SWEPT AWAY |
CHAPTER XXXVII. | THE CHALLENGE OF PAULETTE DUBOIS |
CHAPTER XXXVIII. | THE CURE AND THE SEIGNEUR VISIT THE TAILOR |
CHAPTER XXXIX. | THE SCARLET WOMAN |
CHAPTER XL. | AS IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING |
CHAPTER XLI. | IT WAS MICHAELMAS DAY |
CHAPTER XLII. | A TRIAL AND A VERDICT |
CHAPTER XLIII. | JO PORTUGAIS TELLS A STORY |
CHAPTER XLIV. | "WHO WAS KATHLEEN?" |
CHAPTER XLV. | SIX MONTHS GO BY |
CHAPTER XLVI. | THE FORGOTTEN MAN |
CHAPTER XLVII. | ONE WAS TAKEN AND THE OTHER LEFT |
CHAPTER XLVIII. | "WHERE THE TREE OF LIFE IS BLOOMING—" |
CHAPTER XLIX. | THE OPEN GATE |
CHAPTER L. | THE PASSION PLAY AT CHAUDIERE |
CHAPTER LI. | FACE TO FACE |
CHAPTER LII. | THE COMING OF BILLY |
CHAPTER LIII. | THE SEIGNEUR AND THE CURE HAVE A SUSPICION |
CHAPTER LIV. | M. ROSSIGNOL SLIPS THE LEASH |
CHAPTER LV. | ROSALIE PLAYS A PART |
CHAPTER LVI. | MRS. FLYNN SPEAKS |
CHAPTER LVII. | A BURNING FIERY FURNACE |
CHAPTER LVIII. | WITH HIS BACK TO THE WALL |
CHAPTER LIX. | IN WHICH CHARLEY MEETS A STRANGER |
CHAPTER LX. | THE HAND AT THE DOOR |
CHAPTER LXI. | THE CURE SPEAKS |
EPILOGUE. | |
INTRODUCTION
A NOTE
MICHEL AND ANGELE
WHILE THE LAMP HOLDS OUT TO BURN THE PRICE OF THE GRINDSTONE—AND THE DRUM |
CHAPTER I. | AS THE SPIRIT MOVED |
CHAPTER II. | THE GATES OF THE WORLD |
CHAPTER III. | BANISHED |
CHAPTER IV. | THE CALL |
CHAPTER V. | THE WIDER WAY |
CHAPTER VI. | "HAST THOU NEVER KILLED A MAN?" |
CHAPTER VII. | THE COMPACT |
CHAPTER VIII. | FOR HIS SOUL’S SAKE AND THE LAND’S SAKE |
CHAPTER IX. | THE LETTER, THE NIGHT, AND THE WOMAN |
CHAPTER X. | THE FOUR WHO KNEW |
CHAPTER XI. | AGAINST THE HOUR OF MIDNIGHT |
CHAPTER XII. | THE JEHAD AND THE LIONS |
CHAPTER XIII. | ACHMET THE ROPEMAKER STRIKES |
CHAPTER XIV. | BEYOND THE PALE |
CHAPTER XV. | SOOLSBY’S HAND UPON THE CURTAIN |
CHAPTER XVI. | THE DEBT AND THE ACCOUNTING |
CHAPTER XVII. | THE WOMAN OF THE CROSS-ROADS |
CHAPTER XVIII. | TIME, THE IDOL-BREAKER |
CHAPTER XIX. | SHARPER THAN A SWORD |
CHAPTER XX. | EACH AFTER HIS OWN ORDER |
CHAPTER XXI. | "THERE IS NOTHING HIDDEN WHICH SHALL NOT BE REVEALED" |
CHAPTER XXII. | AS IN A GLASS DARKLY |
CHAPTER XXIII. | THE TENTS OF CUSHAN |
CHAPTER XXIV. | THE QUESTIONER |
CHAPTER XXV. | THE VOICE THROUGH THE DOOR |
CHAPTER XXVI. | "I OWE YOU NOTHING" |
CHAPTER XXVII. | THE AWAKENING |
CHAPTER XXVIII. | NAHOUM TURNS THE SCREW |
CHAPTER XXIX. | THE RECOIL |
CHAPTER XXX. | LACEY MOVES |
CHAPTER XXXI. | THE STRUGGLE IN THE DESERT |
CHAPTER XXXII. | FORTY STRIPES SAVE ONE |
CHAPTER XXXIII. | THE DARK INDENTURE |
CHAPTER XXXIV. | NAHOUM DROPS THE MASK "CLARIDGE PASHA!" |
CHAPTER XXXV. | THE FLIGHT OF THE WOUNDED |
CHAPTER XXXVI. | "IS IT ALWAYS SO—IN LIFE?" |
CHAPTER XXXVII. | THE FLYING SHUTTLE |
CHAPTER XXXVIII. | JASPER KIMBER SPEAKS |
CHAPTER XXXIX. | FAITH JOURNEYS TO LONDON |
CHAPTER XL. | HYLDA SEEKS NAHOUM |
CHAPTER XLI. | IN THE LAND OF SHINAR |
CHAPTER XLII. | THE LOOM OF DESTINY |
GLOSSARY. | |
JUNIPER COVE TWENTY YEARS AFTER |
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CHAPTER I. | THE GRAND TOUR OF JEAN JACQUES BARBILLE |
CHAPTER II. | "THE REST OF THE STORY TO-MORROW" |
CHAPTER III. | "TO-MORROW" |
CHAPTER IV. | THIRTEEN YEARS AFTER; CLERK OF THE COURT TELLS A STORY |
CHAPTER V. | THE CLERK OF THE COURT ENDS HIS STORY |
CHAPTER VI. | JEAN JACQUES HAD HAD A GREAT DAY |
CHAPTER VII. | JEAN JACQUES AWAKES FROM SLEEP |
CHAPTER VIII. | THE GATE IN THE WALL |
CHAPTER IX. | "MOI-JE SUIS PHILOSOPHE" |
CHAPTER X. | "QUIEN SABE"—WHO KNOWS! |
CHAPTER XI. | THE CLERK OF THE COURT KEEPS A PROMISE |
CHAPTER XII. | THE MASTER-CARPENTER HAS A PROBLEM |
CHAPTER XIII. | THE MAN FROM OUTSIDE |
CHAPTER XIV. | "I DO NOT WANT TO GO" |
CHAPTER XV. | BON MARCHE |
CHAPTER XVI. | MISFORTUNES COME NOT SINGLY |
CHAPTER XVII. | HIS GREATEST ASSET |
CHAPTER XVIII. | JEAN JACQUES HAS AN OFFER |
CHAPTER XIX. | SEBASTIAN DOLORES DOES NOT SLEEP |
CHAPTER XX. | "AU ’VOIR, M’SIEU’ JEAN JACQUES" |
CHAPTER XXI. | IF SHE HAD KNOWN IN TIME |
CHAPTER XXII. | BELLS OF MEMORY |
CHAPTER XXIII. | JEAN JACQUES HAS WORK TO DO |
CHAPTER XXIV. | JEAN JACQUES ENCAMPED |
CHAPTER XXV. | WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE? |
EPILOGUE. | |
CHAPTER I. | "THE DRUSES ARE UP!" |
CHAPTER II. | THE WHISPER FROM BEYOND |
CHAPTER III. | CONCERNING INGOLBY AND THE TWO TOWNS |
CHAPTER IV. | THE COMING OF JETHRO FAWE |
CHAPTER V. | "BY THE RIVER STARZKE... IT WAS SO DONE" |
CHAPTER VI. | THE UNGUARDED FIRES |
CHAPTER VII. | IN WHICH THE PRISONER GOES FREE |
CHAPTER VIII. | THE SULTAN |
CHAPTER IX. | MATTER AND MIND AND TWO MEN |
CHAPTER X. | FOR LUCK |
CHAPTER XI. | THE SENTENCE OF THE PATRIN |
CHAPTER XII. | "LET THERE BE LIGHT" |
CHAPTER XIII. | THE CHAIN OF THE PAST |
CHAPTER XIV. | SUCH THINGS MAY NOT BE |
CHAPTER XV. | THE WOMAN FROM WIND RIVER |
CHAPTER XVI. | THE MAYOR FILLS AN OFFICE |
CHAPTER XVII. | THE MONSEIGNEUR AND THE NOMAD |
CHAPTER XVIII. | THE BEACONS |
CHAPTER XIX. | THE KEEPER OF THE BRIDGE |
CHAPTER XX. | TWO LIFE PIECES |
CHAPTER XXI. | THE SNARE OF THE FOWLER |
CHAPTER XXII. | THE SECRET MAN |
CHAPTER XXIII. | THE RETURN OF BELISARIUS |
CHAPTER XXIV. | AT LONG LAST |
CHAPTER XXV. | MAN PROPOSES |
CHAPTER XXVI. | THE SLEEPER |
CHAPTER XXVII. | THE WORLD FOR SALE |
INTRODUCTION
YOU NEVER KNOW YOUR LUCK
PROEM
CHAPTER I. | "PIONEERS, O PIONEERS" |
CHAPTER II. | CLOSING THE DOORS |
CHAPTER III. | THE LOGAN TRIAL AND WHAT CAME OF IT |
CHAPTER IV. | "STRENGTH SHALL BE GIVEN THEE" |
CHAPTER V. | A STORY TO BE TOLD |
CHAPTER VI. | "HERE ENDETH THE FIRST LESSON" |
CHAPTER VII. | A WOMAN’S WAY TO KNOWLEDGE |
CHAPTER VIII. | ALL ABOUT AN UNOPENED LETTER |
CHAPTER IX. | NIGHT SHADE AND MORNING GLORY |
CHAPTER X. | "S. O. S." |
CHAPTER XI. | IN THE CAMP OF THE DESERTER |
CHAPTER XII. | AT THE RECEIPT OF CUSTOM |
CHAPTER XIII. | KITTY SPEAKS HER MIND AGAIN |
CHAPTER XIV. | AWAITING THE VERDICT |
CHAPTER XV. | "MALE AND FEMALE CREATED HE THEM" |
CHAPTER XVI. | "’TWAS FOR YOUR PLEASURE YOU CAME HERE," |
CHAPTER XVII. | WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT? |
EPILOGUE. | |
CHAPTER I. | THE MAZARINES TAKE POSSESSION |
CHAPTER II. | "MY NAME IS LOUISE" |
CHAPTER III. | "I HAVE FOUGHT WITH BEASTS AT EPHESUS" |
CHAPTER IV. | TWO SIDES TO A BARGAIN |
CHAPTER V. | ORLANDO HAS AN ADVENTURE |
CHAPTER VI. | "THINGS MUST HAPPEN" |
CHAPTER VII. | "THE ZOOLYOGICAL GARDEN" |
CHAPTER VIII. | THE ORIENTAL WAY OF IT |
CHAPTER IX. | THE STARS IN THEIR COURSES |
CHAPTER X. | THE MOON WAS NOT ALONE |
CHAPTER XI. | LOUISE |
CHAPTER XII. | MAN UNNATURAL |
CHAPTER XIII. | ORLANDO GIVES A WARNING |
CHAPTER XIV. | FILION AND FIONA—ALSO PATSY KERNAGHAN |
CHAPTER XV. | OUTWARD BOUND |
CHAPTER XVI. | THE CROSS TRAILS |
CHAPTER XVII. | THE SUPERIOR MAN |
CHAPTER XVIII. | YOUTH HAS ITS WAY |
CHAPTER I. | THE TWO MEET |
CHAPTER II. | THE COMING OF A MESSENGER |
CHAPTER III. | THE QUARREL |
CHAPTER IV. | THE DUEL |
CHAPTER V. | THE KILLING OF ERRIS BOYNE |
CHAPTER VI. | DYCK IN PRISON |
CHAPTER VII. | MOTHER AND DAUGHTER |
CHAPTER VIII. | DYCK’S FATHER VISITS HIM |
CHAPTER IX. | A LETTER FROM SHEILA |
CHAPTER X. | DYCK CALHOUN ENTERS THE WORLD AGAIN |
CHAPTER XI. | WHITHER NOW? |
CHAPTER XII. | THE HOUR BEFORE THE MUTINY |
CHAPTER XIII. | TO THE WEST INDIES |
CHAPTER XIV. | IN THE NICK OF TIME |
CHAPTER XV. | THE ADMIRAL HAS HIS SAY |
CHAPTER XVI. | A LETTER |
CHAPTER XVII. | STRANGERS ARRIVE |
CHAPTER XVIII. | AT SALEM |
CHAPTER XIX. | LORD MALLOW INTERVENES |
CHAPTER XX. | OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE PHILISTINES |
CHAPTER XXI. | THE CLASH OF RACE |
CHAPTER XXII. | SHEILA HAS HER SAY |
CHAPTER XXIII. | THE COMING OF NOREEN |
CHAPTER XXIV. | WITH THE GOVERNOR |
CHAPTER XXV. | THEN WHAT HAPPENED |
CHAPTER I. | IN THE DAYS OF CHILDHOOD |
CHAPTER II. | ELEVEN YEARS PASS |
CHAPTER III. | CARNAC’S RETURN |
CHAPTER IV. | THE HOUSE ON THE HILL |
CHAPTER V. | CARNAC AS MANAGER |
CHAPTER VI. | LUKE TARBOE HAS AN OFFER |
CHAPTER VII. | "AT OUR PRICE?" |
CHAPTER VIII. | JOHN GRIER MAKES ANOTHER OFFER |
CHAPTER IX. | THE PUZZLE |
CHAPTER X. | DENZIL TELLS HIS STORY |
CHAPTER XI. | CARNAC’S TALK WITH HIS MOTHER |
CHAPTER XII. | CARNAC SAYS GOOD-BYE |
CHAPTER XIII. | CARNAC’S RETURN |
CHAPTER XIV. | THE HOUSE OF THE THREE TREES |
CHAPTER XV. | CARNAC AND JUNIA |
CHAPTER XVI. | JOHN GRIER MAKES A JOURNEY |
CHAPTER XVII. | THE READING OF THE WILL |
CHAPTER XVIII. | A GREAT DECISION |
CHAPTER XIX. | CARNAC BECOMES A CANDIDATE |
CHAPTER XX. | JUNIA AND TARBOE HEAR THE NEWS |
CHAPTER XXI. | THE SECRET MEETING |
CHAPTER XXII. | POINT TO POINT |
CHAPTER XXIII. | THE MAN WHO WOULD NOT |
CHAPTER XXIV. | THE BLUE PAPER |
CHAPTER XXV. | DENZIL TAKES A HAND IN THE GAME |
CHAPTER XXVI. | THE CHALLENGE |
CHAPTER XXVII. | EXIT |
CHAPTER XXVIII. | A WOMAN WRITES A LETTER |
CHAPTER XXIX. | CARNAL AND HIS MOTHER |
CHAPTER XXX. | TARBOE HAS A DREAM |
CHAPTER XXXI. | THIS WAY HOME |
CHAPTER XXXII. | "HALVES, PARDNER, HALVES" |
With each volume of this subscription edition (1912) there is a special introduction, setting forth, in so far as seemed possible, the relation of each work to myself, to its companion works, and to the scheme of my literary life. Only one or two things, therefore, need be said here, as I wish God-speed to this edition, which, I trust, may help to make old friends warmer friends and new friends more understanding. Most of the novels and most of the short stories were suggested by incidents or characters which I had known, had heard of intimately, or, as in the case of the historical novels, had discovered in the works of historians. In no case are the main characters drawn absolutely from life; they are not portraits; and the proof of that is that no one has ever been able to identify, absolutely, any single character in these books. Indeed, it would be impossible for me to restrict myself to actual portraiture. It is trite to say that photography is not art, and photography has no charm for the artist, or the humanitarian indeed, in the portrayal of life. At its best it is only an exhibition of outer formal characteristics, idiosyncrasies, and contours. Freedom is the first essential of the artistic mind. As will be noticed in the introductions and original notes to several of these volumes, it is stated that they possess anachronisms; that they are not portraits of people living or dead, and that they only assume to be in harmony with the spirit of men and times and things. Perhaps in the first few pages of ‘The Right of Way’ portraiture is more nearly reached than in any other of these books, but it was only the nucleus, if I may say so, of a larger development which the original Charley Steele never attained. In the novel he grew to represent infinitely more than the original ever represented in his short life.
That would not be strange when it is remembered that the germ of The ‘Right of Way’ was growing in my mind over a long period of years, and it must necessarily have developed into a larger conception than the original character could have suggested. The same may be said of the chief characters in ‘The Weavers’. The story of the two brothers—David Claridge and Lord Eglington—in that book was brewing in my mind for quite fifteen years, and the main incidents and characters of other novels in this edition had the same slow growth. My forthcoming novel, called ‘The Judgment House’, had been in my mind for nearly twenty years and only emerged when it was full grown, as it were; when I was so familiar with the characters that they seemed as real in all ways as though they were absolute people and incidents of one’s own experience.
Little more need be said. In outward form the publishers have made this edition beautiful. I should be ill-content if there was not also an element of beauty in the work of the author. To my mind truth alone is not sufficient. Every work of art, no matter how primitive in conception, how tragic or how painful, or even how grotesque in design—like the gargoyles on Notre Dame must have, too, the elements of beauty—that which lures and holds, the durable and delightful thing. I have a hope that these books of mine, as faithful to life as I could make them, have also been touched here and there by the staff of beauty. Otherwise their day will be short indeed; and I should wish for them a day a little longer at least than my day and span.
I launch the ship. May it visit many a port! May its freight never lie neglected on the quays!