For the idea of a novel on the present theme I am indebted to an unpublished short story entitled An Irregular Practitioner, by Miss Anne Steger Winston, which came under my eye three or four years ago. I secured the transfer to me of Miss Winston's rights in the subject, and, though I have not followed the lines of her story, it gives me pleasure to acknowledge my obligation to her for the suggestion of a motive without which this novel would not have had existence. For the comfort of the reader, let me add that the name Phillida should be accented on the first syllable, and pronounced with the second vowel short. JOSHUA'S ROCK ON LAKE GEORGE, _September, 1891_. CONTENTS. CHAPTER PAGE I. THE ORIGIN OF A MAN OF FASHION 7 II. THE EVOLUTION OF A SOCIETY MAN 19 III. A SPONTANEOUS PEDIGREE 29 IV. THE BANK OF MANHADOES 37 V. THE ARRIVAL OF THE HILBROUGHS 55 VI. PHILLIDA CALLENDER 69 VII. THE LION SOIREE 91 VIII. IN AVENUE C 110 IX. WASHINGTON SQUARE AND ELSEWHERE 120 X. BROKEN RESOLVES 132 XI. IN THE PARK 144 XII. PHILIP 155 XIII. MRS. FRANKLAND 162 XIV. MRS. FRANKLAND AND PHILLIDA 176 XV. TWO WAYS 185 XVI. A SEANCE AT MRS. VAN HORNE'S 193 XVII. A FAITH CURE 201 XVIII. FAITH-DOCTOR AND LOVER 208 XIX. PROOF POSITIVE 213 XX. DIVISIONS 225 XXI. MRS. HILBROUGH'S INFORMATION 232 XXII. WINTER STRAWBERRIES 242 XXIII. A SHINING EXAMPLE 249 XXIV. THE PARTING 256 XXV. MRS. FRANKLAND'S REPENTANCE 266 XXVI. ELEANOR ARABELLA BOWYER 280 XXVII. A BAD CASE 294 XXVIII. DR. BESWICK'S OPINION 302 XXIX. MILLARD AND RUDOLPH 314 XXX. PHILLIDA AND PHILIP 321 XXXI. A CASE OF BELIEF IN DIPHTHERIA 332 XXXII. FACE TO FACE 345 XXXIII. A FAMOUS VICTORY 352 XXXIV. DOCTORS AND LOVERS 364 XXXV. PHILLIDA AND HER FRIENDS 374 XXXVI. MRS. BESWICK 383 XXXVII. DR.