Transcriber's Notes: 1. Page scan source: http://books.google.com/books?id=3DwPAAAAQAAJ (Oxford University) VIOLET FORSTER'S LOVER By the Same Author * * * TWIN SISTERS THE LOVELY MRS. BLAKE THE INTERRUPTED KISS * * * _Cassell & Co., Ltd., London_ [Illustration: "'Sydney!' she cried. 'My darling! Thank God, it's you.'" (_see page 145_).] VIOLET FORSTER'S LOVER BY RICHARD MARSH _Author of "The Interrupted Kiss," "The Lovely Mrs. Blake," "Twin Sisters," etc. etc_. WITH A FRONTISPIECE IN COLOUR BY E. S. HODGSON CASSELL AND COMPANY, LTD. London, New York, Toronto and Melbourne 1912 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED CONTENTS CHAPTER 1. The Card on the Floor. 2. While the Groom Waited. 3. "Stop, Thief!" 4. The Good Samaritan. 5. Dreaming. 6. His Wife. 7. Among Thieves. 8. The Sandwich-man. 9. The Drapery. 10. The Woman Tempted Me. 11. In the Wood. 12. "What Does it Mean?" 13. The Alcove. 14. "Who is Simmons?" 15. 'Twixt the Dark and Daylight. 16. The Lacquered Club. 17. Sleepers Awakened. 18. In Bed. 19. The Two Women. 20. The Leather Bag. 21. An Envelope. 22. The Countess and Violet. 23. The Latest Story. 24. 2A Cobden Mansions. 25. Julia Spurrier. 26. Happiness! 27. A Game of Billiards. 28. An Irregular Visitor. 29. The Visitor Remains. 30. The Story of what Happened after the Easter Ball. 31. Asking Forgiveness. 32. In the Taxicab. 33. "Vi!" 34. Some Letters and a Telegram. VIOLET FORSTER'S LOVER CHAPTER I The Card on the Floor Tickell turned his cards. "A straight." The men all bent over to look. "King high--there you are, nine, ten, knave, queen, king; a mixed lot, but they'll take some beating." Something on Beaton's face seemed to suggest that the other's hand was unexpectedly strong. He smiled--not easily. "You're right, they will; and I'm afraid----" He turned his hand half over, then, letting the five cards fall uppermost on the table, sat and stared at him, as if startled. It was Major Reith who announced the value of the hand. "A full and ace high--he's got you, Jack; a bumper, Sydney."