If you searched among the Downs in Sussex, somewhere between Midhurst and Brighthelmstone, inland a little, and nestling in modest seclusion between two waves of hills, you would find Little Fittledea...

A while back I spoke of three gentlemen who built their homes round Little Fittledean. Of one I said but little, of the second I spoke at length and to the tune of one whole chapter. It now behoves me...

On a particularly sunny morning, some five or six days after Mr. Jettan’s return from London town, the main street of Little Fittledean was made brighter still by the passage of an Apparition. The App...

At half-past five on Wednesday Mr. Henry Bancroft was ushered into the withdrawing-room at the Pride. He was, as he had intended he should be, the last to arrive. Sir Maurice stood in front of the emp...

Home went Philip, a prey to conflicting emotions. He was angry with Cleone, and hurt at what he termed her fickleness, but she was very lovely, and still wholly desirable. Never until now had he reali...

Philip stood in the middle of the floor, expostulating. A sleek valet was kneeling before him, coaxing his gold-clocked stockings over the knee of his small-clothes, and a middle-aged exquisite was ar...

In February came Mr. Bancroft to Paris. Philip’s departure from Little Fittledean had been closely followed by his own, for he found that Cleone no longer smiled. Also, the spice of wooing her was gon...

M. le Comte de Saint-Dantin gave a select dinner and card-party some few weeks after the coming of Mr. Bancroft. Only his chosen intimates were invited, and amongst them was Philip. At half-past five ...

“Philippe, do you go to De Farraud’s tonight?” asked De Bergeret suddenly. He was lounging on the couch in Philip’s room, watching Philip adjust his patches. “De Farraud’s? I’d not thought of it. Whom...

Cleone sat on a stool at Sir Maurice’s knee and sighed. So did Sir Maurice, and knew that they sighed for the same thing. “Well, my dear,” he said, trying to speak cheerfully, “how is your mamma?” “Th...

Thomas, deep in the latest copy of the Rambler, was aroused by the sound of wheels drawing up outside the house. He rose and stretched himself, wondering who could choose such a day wherein to visit h...

François endured the detestable Moggat for a week. He was then rewarded for his patience by the news that Philip was shortly to move into a small house in Curzon Street, which belonged to a friend of ...

A tall gentleman rang the bell of Mr. Thomas Jettan’s house with some vigour. The door was presently opened by the depressed Moggat. “Where’s your master, Moggat?” demanded the visitor abruptly. Mogga...

“François, there is one below who desires m’sieu’.” François shook out a fine lace ruffle. “Qui est-ce?” “Le père de M’sieur,” answered Jacques gloomily. François cast the ruffle aside. “Le père de M’...

“And he brought it himself, yesterday morning, tied with snowdrops. I don’t know how he got them, for they are over, are they not, Clo? But there they were, with the prettiest verse you can imagine. I...

When Philip entered the ballroom of my lady Dering’s house, on Wednesday evening, Lady Malmerstoke had already arrived. Cleone was dancing with Sir Deryk; Jennifer was sitting beside her ladyship, loo...

Sir Maurice and his brother were sitting at breakfast next morning when Philip burst in on them. Tom jumped up and swore. “Damn you, Philip! At this hour!” Philip paid not the slightest heed to him. H...

Sir Deryk’s valet came to him, bowing. “There is a gentleman below who desires speech with you, sir.” “Oh? Who is he?” “Mr. Philip Jettan, sir.” Sir Deryk raised his eyebrows. “Jettan? What can he wan...

Once more Lady Malmerstoke’s page went up to the boudoir. “Mistah Philip Jettan is below, m’lady!” Up started Cleone. “I will not see him! Aunt Sarah, I beg you will go to him! Please spare me this⁠—h...

Sir Maurice Jettan stood in the withdrawing-room of the Hotel Cleone and studied himself in the glass. He smiled a little and straightened his shoulders. There came a swish of skirts in the passage wi...