Produced by J. Ingram, G. Smith, T. Riikonen, and PG Distributed Proofreaders BIRDS OF PREY BY M.E. BRADDON [Illustration: "Be good enough to take me straight to her," said the Captain, "I am her father."] CONTENTS: Book the First. FATAL FRIENDSHIP. I. THE HOUSE IN BLOOMSBURY II. PHILIP SHELDON READS THE "LANCET" III. MR. AND MRS. HALLIDAY IV. A PERPLEXING ILLNESS V. THE LETTER FROM THE "ALLIANCE" OFFICE VI. MR. BURKHAM'S UNCERTAINTIES Book the Second. THE TWO MACAIRES. I. A GOLDEN TEMPLE II. THE EASY DESCENT III. "HEART BARE, HEART HUNGRY, VERY POOR" Book the Third. HEAPING UP RICHES. I. A FORTUNATE MARRIAGE II. CHARLOTTE III. GEORGE SHELDON'S PROSPECTS IV. DIANA FINDS A NEW HOME V. AT THE LAWN VI. THE COMPACT OF GRAY'S INN VII. AUNT SARAH VIII. CHARLOTTE PROPHESIES RAIN IX. MR. SHELDON ON THE WATCH Book the Fourth. VALENTINE HAWKEHURST'S RECORD. I. THE OLDEST INHABITANT II. MATTHEW HAYGARTH'S RESTING-PLACE III. MR. GOODGE'S WISDOM Book the Fifth. RELICS OF THE DEAD. I. BETRAYED BY A BLOTTING-PAD II. VALENTINE INVOKES THE PHANTOMS OF THE PAST III. HUNTING THE JUDSONS IV. GLIMPSES OF A BYGONE LIFE Book the Sixth. THE HEIRESS OF THE HAYGARTHS. I. DISAPPOINTMENT II. VALENTINE'S RECORD CONTINUED III. ARCADIA IV. IN PARADISE V. TOO FAIR TO LAST VI. FOUND IN THE BIBLE Book the Seventh. CHARLOTTE'S ENGAGEMENT. I. "IN YOUR PATIENCE YE ARE STRONG" II. MRS. SHELDON ACCEPTS HER DESTINY III. MR. HAWKEHURST AND MR. GEORGE SHELDON COME TO AN UNDERSTANDING IV. MR. SHELDON IS PROPITIOUS V. MR. SHELDON IS BENEVOLENT VI. RIDING THE HIGH HORSE VII. MR. SHELDON IS PRUDENT VIII. CHRISTMAS PEACE BIRDS OF PREY BOOK THE FIRST. FATAL FRIENDSHIP. CHAPTER I. THE HOUSE IN BLOOMSBURY. "What about?" There are some houses whereof the outward aspect is sealed with the seal of respectability--houses which inspire confidence in the minds of the most sceptical of butchers and bakers--houses at whose area-gates the tradesman delivers his goods undoubtingly, and from whose spotless door-steps the vagabond children of the neighbourhood recoil as from a shrine too sacred for their gambols.