RICHARD VANDERMARCK A Novel By MRS. SIDNEY S. HARRIS Author of "Rutledge," "St. Phillips," etc., etc. 1871 To S.S.H. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. VARICK-STREET CHAPTER II. VERY GOOD LUCK CHAPTER III. KILIAN CHAPTER IV. MY COMPANIONS CHAPTER V. THE TUTOR CHAPTER VI. MATINAL CHAPTER VII. THREE WEEKS TOO LATE CHAPTER VIII. SUNDAY CHAPTER IX. A DANCE CHAPTER X. EVERY DAY FROM SIX TO SEVEN. CHAPTER XI. SOPHIE'S WORK CHAPTER XII. PRAEMONITUS, PRAEMUNITUS CHAPTER XIII. THE WORLD GOES ON THE SAME CHAPTER XIV. GUARDED CHAPTER XV. I SHALL HAVE SEEN HIM CHAPTER XVI. AUGUST THIRTIETH CHAPTER XVII. BESIDE HIM ONCE AGAIN CHAPTER XVIII. A JOURNEY CHAPTER XIX. SISTER MADELINE CHAPTER XX. THE HOUR OF DAWN CHAPTER XXI. APRÉS PERDRE, PERD ON BIEN CHAPTER XXII. A GREAT DEAL TOO SOON CHAPTER XXIII. A REVERSAL CHAPTER XXIV. MY NEW WORLD CHAPTER XXV. BIEN PERDU, BIEN CONNU CHAPTER XXVI. A DINNER CHAPTER I. VARICK STREET. O for one spot of living green, One little spot where leaves can grow,-- To love unblamed, to walk unseen, To dream above, to sleep below! _Holmes_. There are in this loud stunning tide, Of human care and crime, With whom the melodies abide Of th' everlasting chime; * * * * * And to wise hearts this certain hope is given; "No mist that man may raise, shall hide the eye of Heaven." _Keble._ I never knew exactly how the invitation came; I felt very much honored by it, though I think now, very likely the honor was felt to be upon the other side. I was exceedingly young, and exceedingly ignorant, not seventeen, and an orphan, living in the house of an uncle, an unmarried man of nearly seventy, wholly absorbed in business, and not much more interested in me than in his clerks and servants. I had come under his protection, a little girl of two years old, and had been in his house ever since. I had had as good care as a very ordinary class of servants could give me, and was supplied with some one to teach me, and had as much money to spend as was good for me--perhaps more; and I do not feel inclined to say my uncle did not do his duty, for I do not think he knew of anything further to do; and strictly speaking, I had no claim on him, for I was only a great-niece, and there were those living who were more nearly related to me, and who were abundantly able to provide for me, if they had been willing to do it.