THE UNLIT LAMP THE UNLIT LAMP A STUDY OF INTER-ACTIONS BY ELISABETH SANXAY HOLDING Author of “Invincible Minnie,” “Rosaleen Among the Artists,” “Angelica,” etc. [Illustration: colophon] NEW YORK E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY 681 FIFTH AVENUE Copyright, 1922 By E. P. Dutton & Company _All Rights Reserved_ PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONTENTS BOOK ONE--THE BRIDE CHAPTER PAGE I. A DANCE ON STATEN ISLAND IN 1890 3 II. A VINCELLE IN HIS NATURAL HABITAT 15 III. GILBERT GOES A-WOOING 26 IV. CLAUDINE’S PECULIAR MOTHER 37 V. CLAUDINE LEARNS TO ADAPT HERSELF 49 VI. THE KEYNOTE 59 VII. THE HEDGE WHICH GREW SO FAST 73 VIII. A YEAR LATER 88 BOOK TWO--THE BREATH OF LIFE I. AFTER TWENTY YEARS 97 II. THE FORSAKEN PROVIDER 110 III. THE SUITOR WITH CREDENTIALS 122 IV. THE UNABASHED OUTCAST 132 V. THE BREATH OF LIFE 143 VI. THE UNLAWFUL PICNIC 155 VII. STEPHENS EXPLAINS HIMSELF 170 VIII. THE THING IS ON THEM 181 IX. BERTIE 196 BOOK THREE--THE CUP IS OFFERED I. ANDRÉE’S RECITAL 211 II. THE BITTER TRIUMPH 222 III. ANDRÉE’S WEDDING 229 IV. THE BEGINNING 241 V. THE HOUSEWARMING 252 VI. DISCORDS 264 VII. THE PASTRY-COOK’S DAUGHTER 273 VIII. MUTINY 284 IX. HOME AGAIN 299 X. DESTINY INTERVENES 311 EPILOGUE 322 _BOOK ONE_ THE BRIDE THE UNLIT LAMP CHAPTER ONE A DANCE ON STATEN ISLAND IN 1890 “Good Lord!” said young Vincelle, turning up the the collar of his overcoat. “I didn’t know we were going to the ends of the earth.” “It’s worth it,” said his friend.