"Madam," he said, in the calm voice of despair, "your cheek may well blanch, when you regard the ruin you have brought upon me. Nevertheless do I pardon you. The gods have avenged, through you, the imposture I wrought upon one who was dear to me. For that unpardonable sin I am punished. As for my poor bride, whose love I stole by the means of that waxen semblance, of her I cannot ask pardon. Ah, Jenny, Jenny, do not look at me. Turn your eyes from the foul reality that I dissembled." He shuddered and hid his face in his hands. "Do not look at me. I will go from the garden. Nor will I ever curse you with the odious spectacle of my face. Forget me, forget me." But, as he turned to go, Jenny laid her hands upon his wrists and besought him that he would look at her. "For indeed," she said, "I am bewildered by your strange words. Why did you woo me under a mask? And why do you imagine I could love you less dearly, seeing your own face?" He looked into her eyes. On their violet surface he saw the tiny reflection of his own face. He was filled with joy and wonder. "Surely," said Jenny, "your face is even dearer to me, even fairer, than the semblance that hid it and deceived me. I am not angry. 'Twas well that you veiled from me the full glory of your face, for indeed I was not worthy to behold it too soon. But I am your wife now. Let me look always at your own face. Let the time of my probation be over. Kiss me with your own lips." So he took her in his arms, as though she had been a little child, and kissed her with his own lips. She put her arms round his neck, and he was happier than he had ever been. They were alone in the garden now. Nor lay the mask any longer upon the lawn, for the sun had melted it. _BY THE SAME AUTHOR_ A BEAUTIFUL EDITION OF THE HAPPY HYPOCRITE Illustrated in Colour by GEORGE SHERINGHAM _Daily Graphic._--"A superb edition of a modern classic." _Scotsman._--"Gracefully illustrated in colour, 'The Happy Hypocrite' makes an exquisite gift book.... For old or young the book is full of a fanciful beauty." _Country Life._--"Mr Sheringham's delightful drawings printed in colour make this volume as fascinating a 'colour book' as has been seen for some time." _Times._--"Illustrated by Mr George Sheringham, this edition is one which any parent who duly respects himself will steal from the schoolroom shelves and keep upon his own.... The variety of Mr Sheringham's illustrations is wide.... Delicious ornament, subtle appreciation of the author's spirit, gracious fantasy, a fruitful joy in the coxcombry and style of the period--these help to produce a work which gives in an unusual degree the impression that the artist liked doing it." * * * * * THE WORKS OF MAX BEERBOHM WITH A BIBLIOGRAPHY BY JOHN LANE MORE YET AGAIN A CHRISTMAS GARLAND ZULEIKA DOBSON CARICATURES OF TWENTY-FIVE GENTLEMEN