Chapter XVIII: Epilogue: Grace Haldane To Susan Rodney

"Villa Rienzi, Rome, April 15.

"You ask me, dear Sue, when I am going back to Grosvenor Square. If I were guided by my feelings at this present hour I should reply 'Never!' But feelings and inclinations may change, and my present distaste for London society and disgust at the thought of my London acquaintance may give way to the whim of the moment, and a sudden fancy for art, or music, or drama, which only London can give.

"I hope I am not a vindictive woman, but I own that I can never again take pleasure in the society of the people who so cruelly wronged me, the so-called friends who were willing to believe in misconduct that should have seemed impossible to any one who knew me; and who were not brave and honest enough to come to me and discover the truth from my own lips.

"The tragedy of Colonel Rannock's death has impressed me deeply. It is appalling to think of that energetic spirit, that soul of fire, quenched in a moment by a murderer's hand--of the man once so admired and beloved lying unknown and unwept in that solitary spot where the waters rose and fell over his unhallowed grave.

"I can but remember his talents, his charm of manner, and the days when I was perhaps nearer loving him than I suspected at the time. Thank God for that better and truer lover who came to my rescue, and who had but to enter the circle of my life to influence it for ever. Had I never known Arthur Haldane I might have married Colonel Rannock, and my fate might have been wretched, for I believe the only attraction I ever had for him, over and above my fortune, was my likeness to that other woman, his bad angel.

"No, Sue, I am not going to bury myself alive, as you suggest. We have a host of friends in this enchanting cosmopolitan city--Italians, Americans, English, French, Germans, Russians, choice spirits whose love of art and beauty has brought them here, and whose pleasures take a higher range than expensive dinners at newly-opened restaurants, and occasional contact with Royal personages.

"Arthur and I are utterly happy here. The atmosphere suits his work, and puts me in good spirits. We have found a delicious villa at Tivoli, where we shall retire towards the end of May, and where our days and nights will be spent in a garden of roses and lilies, with a fountain that makes music all day long. In the mean time this city furnishes inexhaustible pleasures and interests, and life is so vivid and joyous that I feel as if I only began to live when I came here.

"Of my husband I need not write, for I think you know all that he is to me; and in August, when we go to our place on the Scottish Border, which I used not to like, but which Arthur says he shall adore, I hope my dear old Sue will break away from troublesome suburban pupils and come to us for a long visit. By that time Arthur's new novel will be in the Press, and by that time, if all go well, there will be a young life in our home which will give new joys to our lives.

"Ever your loving friend, "Grace Haldane.

"P.S.--Pray never again address me as 'Lady Perivale.' I hate that semi-detached style. I am Mrs. Arthur Haldane, and am proud to bear my husband's name."

The Author's Autograph Edition.

_Cloth gilt, 2s. 6d._ _Picture Boards, 2s._

1. LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET. 2. HENRY DUNBAR. 3. ELEANOR'S VICTORY. 4. AURORA FLOYD. 5. JOHN MARCHMONT'S LEGACY. 6. THE DOCTOR'S WIFE. 7. ONLY A CLOD. 8. SIR JASPER'S TENANT. 9. TRAIL OF THE SERPENT. 10. THE LADY'S MILE. 11. LADY LISLE. 12. CAPTAIN OF THE VULTURE. 13. BIRDS OF PREY. 14. CHARLOTTE'S INHERITANCE. 15. RUPERT GODWIN. 16. RUN TO EARTH. 17. DEAD SEA FRUIT. 18. RALPH THE BAILIFF. 19. FENTON'S QUEST. 20. LOVELS OF ARDEN. 21. ROBERT AINSLEIGH. 22. TO THE BITTER END. 23. MILLY DARRELL. 24. STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS. 25. LUCIUS DAVOREN. 26. TAKEN AT THE FLOOD. 27. LOST FOR LOVE. 28. A STRANGE WORLD. 29. HOSTAGES TO FORTUNE. 30. DEAD MEN'S SHOES. 31. JOSHUA HAGGARD. 32. WEAVERS AND WEFT. 33. AN OPEN VERDICT. 34. VIXEN. 35. THE CLOVEN FOOT. 36. THE STORY OF BARBARA. 37. JUST AS I AM. 38. ASPHODEL. 39. MOUNT ROYAL. 40. THE GOLDEN CALF. 41. PHANTOM FORTUNE. 42. FLOWER AND WEED. 43. ISHMAEL. 44. WYLLARD'S WEIRD. 45. UNDER THE RED FLAG. 46. ONE THING NEEDFUL. 47. MOHAWKS. 48. LIKE AND UNLIKE. 49. THE FATAL THREE. 50. THE DAY WILL COME. 51. ONE LIFE, ONE LOVE. 52. GERARD. 53. THE VENETIANS. 54. ALL ALONG THE RIVER. 55. THOU ART THE MAN. 56. SONS OF FIRE. AND

57. ROUGH JUSTICE (Just Issued).

THE WORLD says:--"'Rough Justice,' one of the best of Miss Braddon's
later novels, is now included in the publisher's small, pretty, and
cheap edition of her works. The book is admirably printed, easy to
hold, and very smart in its red and gold binding."

THE DAILY NEWS says:--"The book is an astonishing example of Miss
Braddon's sustained powers, of her inventiveness, her vigour of
style, and the humaneness of her character-drawing."

THE DAILY CHRONICLE says:--"This, perhaps, is the most daring thing
Miss Braddon has written."

ALSO READY, A CHEAP EDITION OF

LONDON PRIDE. _Cloth, 2s. 6d._

UNDER LOVE'S RULE. 6s.

THE CHRISTMAS HIRELINGS. 3s. 6d.

_Profusely illustrated._

LONDON: SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, HAMILTON, KENT & CO., LTD.