But, for my part, I hope that Marie's explanation is not the true one. I prefer to attribute the duchess' refusal--in which, I may state, she steadily persists--to some mistaken and misplaced sense of propriety; or, if that fails me, then I will set it down to the fact that Marie's presence would recall too many painful and distressing scenes, and be too full of unpleasant associations. Thus understood, the duchess' refusal was quite natural and agreed completely with what she had done in respect of the necklace--for it was out of the question to turn the edge of the difficulty by converting Marie into a tiara! So the duchess will not receive my wife. But I forgive her--for, beyond doubt, but for the little duchess and that indiscretion of hers, I should not have received my wife myself! * * * * * _Ninth Edition._ THE PRISONER OF ZENDA. By ANTHONY HOPE. 16mo, buckram, gilt top, with frontispiece, 75 cents. "The ingenious plot, the liveliness and spirit of the narrative, and its readable style."--_Atlantic Monthly_. "A glorious story, which cannot be too warmly recommended to all who love a tale that stirs the blood. Perhaps not the least among its many good qualities is the fact that its chivalry is of the nineteenth, not of the sixteenth century; that it is a tale of brave men and true, and of a fair woman of to-day. The Englishman who saves the king ... is as interesting a knight as was Bayard.... The story holds the reader's attention from first to last."--_Critic_. "The dash and galloping excitement of this rattling story."--_London Punch_. "A more gallant, entrancing story has seldom been written."--_Review of Reviews_. "It is not often that such a delightful novel falls into the reviewer's hands."--_London Athæneum_. "A rattling good romance."--_N.Y. Times_. "The plot is too original and audacious to be spoiled for the reader by outlining it. The author is a born story-teller, and has, moreover, a very pretty wit of his own."--_The Outlook_. "A grand story ... It is dignified, quick in action, thrilling, terrible."--_Chicago Herald_. HENRY HOLT & CO., New York. * * * * * FOURTH EDITION OF A CHANGE OF AIR. By ANTHONY HOPE, _Author of_ "_The Prisoner of Zenda_," "_The Indiscretion of the Duchess_," _etc_. With portrait and notice of the author. Narrow 16mo, buckram. 75 cents. "A highly clever performance, with little touches that recall both Balzac and Meredith. Mr. Hope, being disinclined to follow any of the beaten tracks of romance writing, is endowed with exceeding originality."--_New York Times_.