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Dear Maude,--All the little two-oared boats which put out into the great ocean have need of some chart which will show them how to lay their course. Each starts full of happiness and confidence, and yet we know how many founder, for it is no easy voyage, and there are rocks and sandbanks upon the way. So I give a few pages of your own private log, which tell of days of peace, and days of storm--such storms as seem very petty from the deck of a high ship, but are serious for the two-oared boats. If your peace should help another to peace, or your storm console another who is storm-tossed, then I know that you will feel repaid for this intrusion upon your privacy. May all your voyage be like the outset, and when at last the oars fall from your hands, and those of Frank, may other loving ones be ready to take their turn of toil--and so, bon voyage!
Ever your friend, THE AUTHOR. Jan. 20, 1899.
CHAPTER I--THE OVERTURE--ABOUT THAT DATE CHAPTER II--THE OVERTURE CONTINUED--IN A MINOR KEY CHAPTER III--THE OVERTURE CONCLUDED CHAPTER IV--THE TWO SOLOS CHAPTER V--IN BRITAIN`S VALHALLA CHAPTER VI--TWO SOLOS AND A DUET CHAPTER VII--KEEPING UP APPEARANCES CHAPTER VIII--THE HOME-COMING CHAPTER IX--LAYING A COURSE CHAPTER X--CONFESSIONS CHAPTER XI--CONCERNING MRS. BEETON CHAPTER XII--MR. SAMUEL PEPYS CHAPTER XIII--A VISIT TO MR. SAMUEL PEPYS CHAPTER XIV--TROUBLE CHAPTER XV--A RESCUE CHAPTER XVI--THE BROWNING SOCIETY CHAPTER XVII--AN INVESTMENT CHAPTER XVIII--A THUNDERCLOUD CHAPTER XIX--DANGER CHAPTER XX--NO. 5 CHEYNE ROW CHAPTER XXI--THE LAST NOTE OF THE DUET CHAPTER XXII--THE TRIO |
