MAL MOULÉE. A Novel. BY ELLA WHEELER WILCOX, AUTHOR OF "POEMS OF PASSION," "MAURINE," ETC., ETC. NEW YORK: COPYRIGHT, 1885, BY _G. W. Carleton & Co., Publishers._ LONDON: S. LOW, SON & CO. MDCCCLXXXVI. Stereotyped by HENRY M. TOBITT, SAMUEL STODDER, PRINTER, 42 DEY STREET, N. Y. 42 DEY STREET, N. Y. PREFACE. It is more than two years since the outline of this simple story first suggested itself to me, and since the first chapters were written. Many times since then, conscious that I possessed no talent as a novelist, I have resolved to abandon the work. Yet an unaccountable and mysterious impulse (which no doubt my severe critics will declare as unfortunate, as unaccountable) compelled me to complete it. I have attempted no fine descriptions, no rare word-painting, no flights of eloquence. These things lie not within my province. As simply and briefly as possible, I have endeavored to relate such events as occur almost daily in our midst. In Percy Durand, I have described, and possibly, somewhat idealized, a type of man to be found in any of the cities of America. In Dolores King, the unfortunate and undesired offspring of a loveless marriage _fletrie avant sa naissance_. In Helena Maxon, my ideal of "The perfect woman, nobly planned To counsel, comfort and command." In my selection of a title, I could find no suitable English term which would express the meaning I wished to convey in unison with the leading idea in the book. Therefore, I was obliged, not without reluctance, to use a French term. To avoid many personal inquiries, I would say, in the beginning, that while I have known nearly all the experiences herein related to occur, in actual life, I do not, at the present time, know of any person or persons who answer to the characters I have created. ELLA WHEELER WILCOX. _Meriden, Ct., December, 1885._ CONTENTS. Chapter Page I. Two Girls 11 II. Two Girls and a Doll 21 III. A Fatal Impress 32 IV. A Startling Valedictory 49 V. A Young Cynic 61 VI. A Mother's view of "Women's Rights." 72 VII. The Lovely Cynic meets her Fate 81 VIII. Sweet Danger 93 IX. Journalistic Discussions 103 X. A Discourse on Suicide 118 XI. A Freak of Fate 132 XII. An Exciting Ice-boat Adventure 142 XIII. A Star Falls 156 XIV. One Man and One Woman 169