Swords Reluctant Published in London under the title of "War and the Woman" By Max Pemberton Author of "The Fortunate Prisoner," "The Garden of Swords," etc. "Peace hath her victories No less renowned than war." MILTON: _Sonnets_. "I, in this weak piping time of peace, Have no delight to pass away the time, Unless to see my shadow in the sun." SHAKESPEARE: _Richard III._ [Illustration] G. W. Dillingham Company Publishers New York ENTERED FOR COPYRIGHT MAY 29TH, 1912 UNDER THE TITLE OF WAR AND THE WOMAN COPYRIGHT, 1912, BY G. W. DILLINGHAM COMPANY UNDER THE TITLE OF SWORDS RELUCTANT _Swords Reluctant_ TO ANDREW CARNEGIE NON EXERCITUS NEQUE THESAURI PRÆSIDIA REGNI SUNT, VERUM AMICI _The Author would make acknowledgments to Sir Max Waechter and to Sir Francis Trippel for the generous help given to this book and to its purpose. While the characters in it are entirely fictitious, the scheme for the Federation of Europe is wholly due to Sir Max Waechter's initiative. This scheme has obtained favour at the Courts of the Continent and is warmly approved by many in this country, who realise how inseparably the Peace question is allied to that of the national finance._ CONTENTS Book I.--The Challenge CHAPTER PAGE 1. GABRIELLE SILVESTER WRITES A LETTER 11 2. A MAN OF DESTINY 20 3. BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH 30 4. THE BEGINNING OF THE ODYSSEY 45 5. GENERAL D'ARNY AND HIS DAUGHTER 67 Book II.--The Players 1. A RACE FOR AN EMPEROR 81 2. LOUIS DE PALEOLOGUE 91 3. THE DAMNABLE MOUNTAINS 101 4. THE BURNING OF RANOVICA 114 5. A STRANGE VOYAGE 133 6. GOODWILL TOWARD MEN 156 Book III.--Aftermath 1. THE MEMORABLE WINTER 173