M. E. BRADDON,

AUTHOR OF "LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET."

IN THREE VOLUMES.

VOL. I.

FIFTH EDITION.

LONDON:

TINSLEY BROTHERS, 18 CATHERINE STEEET,

STRAND.

1863.

Dedicated

TO

ADMIRAL AND MRS. BASDEN,

WITH THE

AFFECTIONATE REGARDS

OF

THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTERI.HOW A RICH BANKER MARRIED AN ACTRESS

II.AURORA

III.WHAT BECAME OF THE DIAMOND BRACELET

IV.AFTER THE BALL

V.JOHN MELLISH

VI.REJECTED AND ACCEPTED

VII.AURORA'S STRANGE PENSIONER

VIII.POOR JOHN MELLISH COMES BACK AGAIN

IX.HOW TALBOT BULSTRODE SPENT HIS CHRISTMAS

X.FIGHTING THE BATTLE

XI.AT THE CHÂTEAU D'ARQUES

XII.STEEVE HARGRAVES, THE "SOFTY"

XIII.THE SPRING MEETING