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Did she guess what a dainty picture she made?--Page 100]
THE TANGLED SKEIN
By the Same Author
I WILL REPAY THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL BY THE GODS BELOVED THE EMPEROR'S CANDLESTICKS A SON OF THE PEOPLE
THE TANGLED SKEIN
BY THE BARONESS ORCZY
LONDONGREENING & CO., LTD.1907All rights reserved
DEDICATION
TO MY LITTLE SON JACK AND TO HIS SCHOOLMATES AT "RAMSBURY" BIRCHINGTON-ON-SEA
DEAR BOYS,
It was amongst you all that I wrote the last chapters of this romance. To you, therefore--to your growing manhood, your pretty, budding thoughts of chivalry and honour, which I so loved to see developing in the tender atmosphere of your dear little school-home by the sea--I inscribe and dedicate this record of a noble and good man's life.
EMMUSKA ORCZY.
BIRCHINGTON-ON-SEA _February, 1907_
Copyright in The United Kingdom, in the Dominion of Canada, and in the United States of America.
CONTENTS
PART I MIRRAB--THE WITCH
CHAP. PAGE I. EAST MOLESEY FAIR 11 II. THE WITCH'S TENT 17 III. MISCHIEF BREWING 23 IV. FRIENDS AND ENEMIES 28 V. LADIES AND GALLANTS 33 VI. THE LADY URSULA 41 VII. HIS GRACE OF WESSEX 46 VIII. SILKEN BONDS 52 IX. THE VEILED WITCH 59
PART II THE LADY URSULA
X. A BEVY OF FAIR MAIDENS 73 XI. THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL 80 XII. INTRIGUES 88 XIII. HIS EMINENCE 93 XIV. THE DESTINIES OF EUROPE 99 XV. THE HAND OF FATE 103 XVI. THE ULTIMATUM 114 XVII. AN ARMED TRUCE 120 XVIII. THE VEILED WITCH 127
PART III A GAME OF CHESS
XIX. THE PAWNS 139 XX. DEPARTURE 153 XXI. THE BLACK KNIGHT 159 XXII. THE WHITE QUEEN 168 XXIII. CHECK TO THE QUEEN 177 XXIV. CHECK TO THE KING 187 XXV. THE CARDINAL'S MOVE 192 XXVI. THE PROVOCATION 198 XXVII. THE FIGHT 204 XXVIII. THE SEQUEL OF THE COMEDY 210 XXIX. CHECK-MATE 217
PART IV HIS GRACE OF WESSEX
XXX. THOUGHTS 225 XXXI. MARYE, THE QUEENE 229 XXXII. A BARGAIN 243 XXXIII. IN THE LORD CHANCELLOR'S COURT 252 XXXIV. WESTMINSTER HALL 269 XXXV. THE TRIAL 279 XXXVI. AFTERWARDS 294 XXXVII. THE CARDINAL'S PUPPETS 300 XXXVIII. THE LAST FAREWELL 306 XXXIX. A FORLORN HOPE 314 XL. POOR MIRRAB 318 XLI. THE END 331