A LOVE CRIME
BY
PAUL BOURGET
Author of a "CRUEL ENIGMA."
LONDON
W. W. GIBBINGS, 18 BURY STREET W.C.
1892.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER III
CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER V
CHAPTER VI
CHAPTER VII
CHAPTER VIII
CHAPTER IX
CHAPTER X
CHAPTER XI
DEDICATION.
TO GASTON CRÉHANGE.
Many days have elapsed, my dear friend, since our childhood, but theyhave passed away without effecting any alteration in the affectionatefeelings we then entertained. In memory of an intimacy of heart and mindwhich has never known a cloud, it is very pleasant to me to write yourname at the beginning of that one of my books which you preferred to allthe rest. It is further the book in which I have stated with mostsincerity what I think concerning some of the essential problems of themodern life of our day. May this complete sincerity, by which you, thetruest and most loyal being I know, have doubtless been attracted, pleadin favour of the work with readers who would otherwise be startled by acertain boldness of depicture and cruelty of analysis!
For the rest, whatever may be the verdict of public opinion respecting"A Love Crime," as I have called this minute diagnostic of a certaindistemper of the soul, it will always be possessed of one great merit inmy eyes, for it will have pleased you, and have enabled me once more tosubscribe myself, my dear Gaston, your ever faithful friend,
PAUL BOURGET.
A LOVE CRIME
CHAPTER I
The little drawing-room was illuminated by the soft light of threelamps—tall lamps standing on Japanese vases and bearing globes uponwhich rested flexible shades of a pale blue tint. The door was hidden bya piece of tapestry; two walls were hung with another piece, which wascovered with large figures. Both windows were draped withcurtains—drawn just now—of deep red colour and heavy of fold.
The apartment thus closed in had a homelike air, which was heightened bythe profusion of small articles scattered over the furniture:photographs set in frames, lacquered boxes, old-fashioned cases, a fewSaxon statuettes, books stitched in covers of antique stuff, such aswere coming into fashion in the year 1883. The wreathing foliage of anevergreen plant showed in one corner. Close beside it, an open pianodisplayed its white keys. An English screen with coloured glass and ashelf on which tea-cups, books, or work might be laid, stood in folds onone side of the fire-place. The fire burned with a peaceful cracklingnoise which formed an accompaniment to the sound proceeding from thetea-pot as the latter received the caresses from the flame of its lampon the low table designed for such service.