Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 65619-h.htm or 65619-h.zip: (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/65619/65619-h/65619-h.htm) or (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/65619/65619-h.zip) Images of the original pages are available through Internet Archive. See https://archive.org/details/cu31924013570126 CERISE [Illustration: “CARESSING HER HORSE WITH ONE HAND.” (_Page 35._)] CERISE A Tale of the Last Century by G. J. WHYTE-MELVILLE Author of “Market Harborough,” “Katerfelto,” “Satanella,” etc., etc. Illustrated by G. P. Jacomb-Hood London Ward, Lock & Co., Limited New York and Melbourne. CONTENTS CHAP. PAGE I. The Daisy-Chain 9 II. The Montmirails 17 III. Monsieur l’Abbé 25 IV. Tantara! 34 V. The Usher of the Black Rod 44 VI. A Jesuit’s Task 51 VII. St. Mark’s Balsam 59 VIII. The Grey Musketeers 68 IX. Eugène Beaudésir 76 X. The Boudoir of Madame 86 XI. What the Serpent Said 94 XII. Out-manœuvred 105 XIII. The Mother of Satan 113 XIV. The Débonnaire 122 XV. The Masked Ball 132 XVI. Raising the Devil 144 XVII. A Quiet Supper 151 XVIII. Baiting the Trap 160 XIX. Mater Pulchrâ, Filia Pulchrior 167 XX. A General Rendezvous 177 XXI. The Fox and Fiddle 185 XXII. Three Strands of a Yarn 193 XXIII. The Parlour-Lodger 202 XXIV. A Volunteer 210 XXV. Three Pressed Men 218 XXVI. “Yo-heave-yo!” 227 XXVII. ‘The Bashful Maid’ 235 XXVIII. Dirty Weather 244 XXIX. Port Welcome 250 XXX. Montmirail West 259 XXXI. Black, but Comely 272 XXXII. A Wise Child 277 XXXIII. Jack Aground 286 XXXIV. Jack Afloat 294 XXXV. Besieged 301 XXXVI. At Bay 309 XXXVII. Just in Time 317 XXXVIII. Mère avant tout 326