Chapter I: Preface

In earlier days a preface to a novel with no direct historical source always seemed to me somewhat out of place, since I believed that the author could be indebted solely to his own imagination. I have learned, however, that even in a novel _pur sang_ it is possible to owe much to others, and I now take the opportunity which the despised preface offers to pay my debt--inadequately it is true--to Mr. Hughes Massie, whose enthusiastic help in the launching of this, my first serious literary effort, I shall always hold in grateful remembrance.

I. A. R. W.

May 9th, 1910

CONTENTS

BOOK I

CHAPTER
I WHICH IS A PROLOGUE
II THE DANCING IS RESUMED
III NEHAL SINGH
IV CIRCE
V ARCHIBALD TRAVERS PLAYS BRIDGE
VI BREAKING THE BARRIER
VII THE SECOND GENERATION
VIII THE IDEAL
IX CHECKED
X AT THE GATES OF A GREAT PEOPLE
XI WITHIN THE GATES
XII THE WHITE HAND
XIII THE ROAD CLEAR
XIV IN WHICH MANY THINGS ARE BROKEN
XV THE GREAT HEALER
XVI FATE
XVII FALSE LIGHT

BOOK II

I BUILDING THE CATHEDRAL
II CATASTROPHE
III A FAREWELL
IV STAFFORD INTERVENES
V MURDER
VI CLEARING AWAY THE RUBBISH
VII IN THE TEMPLE OF VISHNU
VIII FACE TO FACE
IX HALF-LIGHT
X TRAVERS
XI IN THE HOUR OF NEED
XII HIS OWN PEOPLE
XIII ENVOI

THE NATIVE BORN