Chapter I: Front Matter

THE LUCK OF THE VAILS

BY E. F. BENSON.

* * * * *

The Luck of the Vails.

12mo. Cloth, $1.50.

This romance of modern life is characterized by intense and culminating interest and remarkable dramatic power. The reader's attention is absorbed at the outset, and he is held in suspense to the last of these vivid and fascinating pages.

Mammon and Co.

12mo. Cloth, $1.50.

This novel by a popular author deals with personages living in the same society that was characterized by "Dodo" and "The Rubicon." Mr. Benson is thoroughly acquainted with the society in which he places the scenes of his novels of London life. In "Mammon & Co." the good genius of the tale is an American girl. The book will be found to be one of exceeding interest throughout.

Dodo.

_A Detail of the Day._ 12mo. Cloth, $1.00; paper, 50 cents.

"'Dodo' is a delightfully witty sketch of the 'smart' people of society.... The writer is a true artist."--_London Spectator._

The Rubicon.

12mo. Cloth, $1.00; paper, 50 cents.

"The anticipations which must have been formed by all readers of 'Dodo' will in no wise be disappointed by 'The Rubicon.' The new work is well written, stimulating, unconventional, and, in a word, characteristic. Intellectual force is never absent, and the keen observation and knowledge of character, of which there is abundant evidence, are aided by real literary power."--_Birmingham Post._

D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, NEW YORK.

THE LUCK OF

THE VAILS

* * * * *

_A NOVEL_

* * * * *

By E. F. BENSON

AUTHOR OF DODO, MAMMON AND CO.

ETC.

* * * * *

NEW YORK

D. APPLETON AND COMPANY

1901

COPYRIGHT, 1901,

BY D. APPLETON and COMPANY.

CONTENTS

PART I

CHAPTER PAGE
I. THE SHADOWS DANCE 1
II. THE COMING OF THE LUCK 13
III. THE SPELL BEGINS TO WORK 25
IV. THE STORY OF MR. FRANCIS 42
V. A POINT IN CASUISTRY 53
VI. THE POINT SOLVED--THE MEETING 63
VII. THE POINT IN CASUISTRY SOLVES ITSELF 81
VIII. THE SECOND RETURN TO VAIL 95
IX. CARDIAC 109
X. MR. FRANCIS IS BETTER 124
XI. MR. FRANCIS SEES HIS DOCTOR 141
XII. THE MEETING IN THE WOOD 154
XIII. HARRY ASKS A QUESTION 177
XIV. LADY OXTED'S IDEA 193

PART II

XV. FROST 209
XVI. FIRE 234
XVII. A BIRD OF NIGHT 255
XVIII. RAIN 284
XIX. GEOFFREY LEAVES VAIL 302
XX. DR. ARMYTAGE ARRIVES 321
XXI. GEOFFREY MEETS THE DOCTOR 335
XXII. LADY OXTED HAS A BAD NIGHT 357
XXIII. THE MEETING IN GROSVENOR SQUARE 376
XXIV. JIM GOES TO BED 393
XXV. MR. FRANCIS SLEEPS 424
EPILOGUE 439

THE LUCK OF THE VAILS

* * * * *