THE MASTERFOLK New 6s. Novels PIGS IN CLOVER By FRANK DANBY THE CALL OF THE WILD By JACK LONDON SPENDTHRIFT SUMMER By MARGREY WILLIAMS IN THE GUARDIANSHIP OF GOD By FLORA ANNIE STEEL BEGGAR’S MANOR By R. MURRAY GILCHRIST GORDON KEITH By THOMAS NELSON PAGE THE LUCK OF BARERAKES By CAROLINE MARRIAGE SIR JULIAN THE APOSTATE By Mrs. CLEMENT PARSONS TYPHOON By JOSEPH CONRAD JERUSALEM By SELMA LAGERLÖF ’TWIXT GOD AND MAMMON By WILLIAM EDWARDS TIREBUCK LONDON WILLIAM HEINEMANN 20 & 21 BEDFORD STREET, W.C. THE MASTERFOLK Wherein is attempted the unravelling of the Strange Affair of my Lord Wyntwarde of Cavil and Miss Betty Modeyne by HALDANE MACFALL Author of ‘The Wooings of Jezebel Pettyfer,’ etc. [Illustration] London William Heinemann 1903 _All rights reserved_ TO GEORGE MEREDITH ESQUIRE TO GIVE YOU THE SALUTE OF SOVEREIGNTY, SIR, CAN ADD NO TITTLE TO YOUR STATURE; BUT THERE IS SOLDIER’S DELIGHT IN SALUTING A CONQUEROR--AND TO YOUR BAYS THERE IS NO PRETENCE OF A PRETENDER CONTENTS OF THE BUDDING OF THE TREE OF LIFE _Chapter_ _Page_ _I._ _Which shows some of the Gods in their Machinery, with but a Shadowy Hint of the Printer’s Devil_ 3 _II._ _Wherein it is discovered that, likely enough from an Ancestor who was Master of the Horse to King Harry the Eighth, Master Oliver had inherited some Gift of Horseplay, together with a Keen Eye for a Fine Leg on a Woman_ 13 _III._ _Wherein Master Oliver comes to the Conclusion that, to complete the Dramatic Picture, Greatness should have known the Hair-Shirt and the Makeshifts of Adversity_ 20 _IV._ _Wherein it would appear that the most respectable Stucco Architecture may be but a Screen for Gnawing Secrets_ 30 _V._ _Wherein Miss Betty Modeyne is introduced to the Study of Nature_ 36 _VI._ _Wherein it is hinted that to be Famous is not necessarily to be Great_ 41 _VII._ _Wherein Ambition shrinks from looking down the Ladder_ 51 _VIII._ _Wherein it is discovered that the Strength of Genius may lie in the Hair_ 55 _IX._ _Wherein Master Oliver is convinced that it is Difficult to play the Man’s Part on a Weak Stomach_ 71 _X._ _Wherein Master Oliver entertains Guests_ 77 _XI._ _Wherein Egoism begins to suspect that there is a Bottom to the Pint Pot_ 82