Transcriber’s Notes Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. Variations in hyphenation have been standardised but all other spelling and punctuation remains unchanged. Italics are represented thus _italic_. All chapters begin with an illustrated capital, and most end with a decorative image. These have not been indicated. _The High Place_ BOOKS _by_ MR. CABELL _Biography_: BEYOND LIFE FIGURES OF EARTH DOMNEI CHIVALRY JURGEN THE LINE OF LOVE THE HIGH PLACE GALLANTRY THE CERTAIN HOUR THE CORDS OF VANITY FROM THE HIDDEN WAY THE RIVET IN GRANDFATHER’S NECK THE EAGLE’S SHADOW THE CREAM OF THE JEST _Scholia_: THE LINEAGE OF LICHFIELD TABOO JOSEPH HERGESHEIMER THE JEWEL MERCHANTS * * * * * JURGEN AND THE LAW (_Edited by Guy Holt_) [Illustration: Image followed by; Caption surrounded by a garland: FLORIAN felt himself to be in not quite the company suited to a nobleman of his rank. _See page 147_] THE HIGH PLACE: A COMEDY OF DISENCHANTMENT BY JAMES BRANCH CABELL WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND DECORATIONS BY FRANK C. PAPÉ “_Build on high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, and for horned Ashtoreth, the abomination of Zidon, and for Moloch, the abomination of the children of Ammon._” [Illustration: Figure and shadow.] ROBERT M. McBRIDE & COMPANY NEW YORK: 1923 Copyright, 1923, by JAMES BRANCH CABELL _Printed in the United States of America_ _This First Edition of THE HIGH PLACE is limited to two thousand numbered copies, of which this is_ _Copy Number_ 1825 Published, 1923 To ROBERT GAMBLE CABELL III _this book, where so much more is due_. _Contents_ PART ONE THE END OF LONG WANTING CHAPTER PAGE I THE CHILD ERRANT 3 II SAYINGS ABOUT PUYSANGE 10 III WIDOWERS SEEK CONSOLATION 24 IV ECONOMICS OF AN OLD RACE 36 V FRIENDLY ADVICE OF JANICOT 42 VI PHILOSOPHY OF THE LOWER CLASS 53 VII ADJUSTMENTS OF THE RESURRECTED 64 VIII AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD 74 IX MISGIVINGS OF A BEGINNING SAINT 80 X WHO FEASTED AT BRUNBELOIS 89 PART TWO THE END OF LIGHT WINNING