THE YELLOW FLAG. THE YELLOW FLAG. A Novel. BY EDMUND YATES, AUTHOR OF "A WAITING RACE;" "BROKEN TO HARNESS," ETC. "That single effort by which we stop short in the downhill path to perdition is itself a greater exertion of virtue than an hundred acts of justice." OLIVER GOLDSMITH. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON: TINSLEY BROTHERS, 18 CATHERINE ST. STRAND. 1872. [_The right of translation and reproduction is reserved_.] CORDIALLY INSCRIBED TO MY OLD FRIEND AND FELLOW-WORKER, GEORGE AUGUSTUS SALA. CONTENTS OF VOL. I. CHAP. I. Calverley's Agent. II. Exit Tom Durham. III. Home, sweet Home. IV. Pauline. V. A little Paradise. VI. A safe Investment. VII. In the City. VIII. The Vicar of Lullington. IX. Tom Durham's Friend. X. Mr. Tatlow on the Track. XI. L'Amie de la Maison. XII. When Doctors Disagree. THE YELLOW FLAG. CHAPTER I. CALVERLEY'S AGENT. "So you have conquered your dislike to leaving England, Tom; I am very glad. I felt certain you would give-in to our wishes, and see the wisdom of what we suggested to you ." "Well, I am not so certain about that, Ally; I don't go-in for magnanimity; and I believe there is just that touch of obstinacy in my nature, which would induce me to run counter to any proposition which was very hardly pressed. But when the suggestion was backed as it has been in this instance, I could not possibly doubt the sincerity of those who made it. And so, as you see, I am off." The place where the conversation, of which a fragment has just been given, occurred, was a broad gravelled path, the favourite promenade of such of the worthy townspeople of Southampton as prefer the beauties of nature to the attractions of the shops in the High-street. On one side was the broad water glistening in the bright, cheerful October sun, on the other a large strip of greensward fringed on the farther edge by a row of shining, white-faced lodging-houses and hotels. On the promenade, the grim cannons--trophies taken during the Russian war--were surrounded by happy children, fearlessly climbing upon the now innocuous engines of death, within hailing distance of the shore a few boatmen were lazily pulling about, some young men were intent on watching the progress of two dogs who were making a neck-and-neck race for a stick which had been thrown into the water for them to fetch, and the whole scene was one of pleasant cheerfulness.