Front matter

MRS. FITZ ARAMINTA FORTUNE WILLIAM JORDAN, JUNIOR HENRY NORTHCOTE BROKE OF COVENDEN MISTRESS DOROTHY MARVIN etc., etc.

THE PRINCIPAL GIRL

BY

J. C. SNAITH

NEW YORK MOFFAT, YARD AND COMPANY 1912

Copyright, 1912, by MOFFAT, YARD AND COMPANY New York

All Rights Reserved

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I A GREAT PROCONSUL; AND OTHER PHENOMENA 1

II TOUCHES UPON A MATTER OF GRAVE PUBLIC IMPORTANCE 7

III IS DOMESTIC IN THE MAIN, BUT WE HOPE NOT UNWORTHY OF A GREAT CONSTITUTIONAL STATESMAN 12

IV IN WHICH THE GENTLE READER HAS THE HONOR OF AN INTRODUCTION TO THE SEVENTH UNMARRIED DAUGHTER OF NOT QUITE A HUNDRED EARLS 18

V IN WHICH THE GENTLE READER IS TAKEN TO THE PANTOMIME IN THE COMPANY OF MARGE AND TIMOTHY AND ALICE CLARA AND DICK AND THE BABE AND HELEN AND LUCY NANNA, AND WE HOPE YOU’LL ENJOY IT AS MUCH AS THEY DID 27

VI IN WHICH WE DINE OUT IN GROSVENOR SQUARE 47

VII IN WHICH WE DRINK TEA AGAIN AT THE CARLTON 62

VIII IN WHICH WE MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF THE GODDAUGHTER OF EDWARD BEAN 77

IX A LITTLE LUNCH AT DIEUDONNÉ’S 83

X AFFAIRS OF STATE 100

XI LICENTIOUS BEHAVIOR OF THE GREEN CHARTREUSE 108

XII THE PROCONSULAR TOUCH 115

XIII JANE’S AFTERNOON OUT 121

XIV IN WHICH MARY QUALIFIES FOR THE RÔLE OF THE BAD GIRL OF THE FAMILY 132

XV IN WHICH WE SIT AT THE FEET OF GAMALIEL 152

XVI IN WHICH THE MOUNTAIN COMES TO MAHOMET 157

XVII IN WHICH WE ARE TAKEN TO VIEW A LITTLE FLAT IN KNIGHTSBRIDGE 166

XVIII IN WHICH THE CONSEQUENCES ARE DAMNED WITH NO UNCERTAINTY 174

XIX A GREAT OCCASION 184

XX LOVE’S YOUNG DREAM 191

XXI ADVENTURES RARE AND STRANGE 199

XXII IN WHICH PHILIP RENEWS HIS YOUTH 210

XXIII IN WHICH GRANDMAMMA RENEWS HERS 226

XXIV IS OF A POLITICAL NATURE 239

XXV IS VICTORIAN IN THE BEST SENSE 259

XXVI A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS 268

XXVII ANOTHER TRIUMPH FOR FREE TRADE 290

XXVIII THE END OF THE TALE 300

THE PRINCIPAL GIRL