MISTRESS NELL
Reading edition
The Illustrations Shown in this Edition are Reproductions of Scenes from the Photo-Play of “Mistress Nell.” Produced and Copyrighted by the Famous Players Film Company, Adolf Zukor, President, to whom the Publishers Desire to Express Their Thanks and Appreciation for Permission to use the Pictures.
Nell Gwyn the King’s Favorite.
MISTRESS NELL
A MERRY TALE OF A MERRY TIME
(T’wixt Fact and Fancy)
BY
GEORGE C. HAZELTON, Jr.
Author of the Play
“Let not poor Nelly starve.”
ILLUSTRATED WITH SCENES FROM THE PHOTO-PLAY PRODUCED AND COPYRIGHTED BY THE FAMOUS PLAYERS FILM COMPANY, ADOLPH ZUKOR, PRESIDENT.
NEW YORK
GROSSET & DUNLAP
PUBLISHERS
Copyright, 1901, by Charles Scribner’s Sons All rights reserved
A WORD
It is the vogue to dramatize successful novels. The author of the present Nell Gwyn story has pursued the contrary course. His “merry” play of the same name was written and produced before he undertook to compose this tale, suggested by the same historic sources.
A word of tribute is gratefully given to the comédienne, Miss Crosman, whose courage and exquisite art introduced the “Mistress Nell” of the play to the public.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I1
“And once Nell Gwyn, a frail young sprite, Looked kindly when I met her; I shook my head perhaps–but quite Forgot to quite forget her.”
CHAPTER II10
It’s near your cue, Mistress Nell!
CHAPTER III41
He took them from Castlemaine’s hand to throw to you.
CHAPTER IV62
Flowers and Music feed naught but Love.
CHAPTER V87
It was never treason to steal a King’s kisses.
CHAPTER VI101
Softly on tiptoe; Here Nell doth lie.
CHAPTER VII111
Come down! Come up!
CHAPTER VIII126
“And the man that is drunk is as great as a king.”
CHAPTER IX142
Three chickens!
CHAPTER X168
Arrest him yourself!
CHAPTER XI182
In the field, men; at court, women!
CHAPTER XII195
Beau Adair is my name.
CHAPTER XIII232
For the glory of England?
CHAPTER XIV240
He loves me! He loves me!
CHAPTER XV259
I come, my love; I come.
CHAPTER XVI276
Ods-pitikins, my own reflection!
CHAPTER XVII290
The day will be so happy; for I’ve seen you at the dawn.
MISTRESS NELL
A MERRY TALE OF A MERRY TIME