E-text prepared by Suzanne Shell, Project Gutenberg Beginners Projects,

Mary Meehan, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team

THE ROCKS OF VALPRÉ

by

ETHEL M. DELL

Author of "The Way of an Eagle," "The Knave of Diamonds," etc.

1913

I Dedicate This Book To MY MOTHER

AS A VERY SMALL TOKEN OF THAT LOVE WHICH NO WORDS CAN EXPRESS

  "Love is indestructible:
Its holy flame for ever burneth,
From Heaven it came, to Heaven returneth;
  Too oft on Earth a troubled guest,
  At times deceived, at times opprest,
  It here is tried and purified,
  Then hath in Heaven its perfect rest:
It soweth here with toil and care,
Bat the harvest-time of Love is there."

The Curse of Kehama—Robert Southey.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

PROLOGUE

I. THE KNIGHT OF THE MAGIC CAVE II. DESTINY III. A ROPE OF SAND IV. THE DIVINE MAGIC V. THE BIRTHDAY TREAT VI. THE SPELL VII. IN THE CAUSE OF A WOMANVIII. THE ENGLISHMAN

PART I

I. THE PRECIPICE II. THE CONQUEST III. THE WARNING IV. DOUBTS V. DE PROFUNDIS VI. ENGAGED VII. THE SECOND WARNINGVIII. THE COMPACT IX. A CONFESSION X. A SURPRISE VISIT XI. THE EXPLANATION XII. THE BIRTHDAY PARTYXIII. PALS XIV. A REVELATION XV. MISGIVINGS XVI. MARRIED

PART II

I. SUMMER WEATHER II. ONE OF THE FAMILY III. DISASTER IV. GOOD-BYE TO CHILDHOOD V. THE LOOKER-ON VI. A BARGAIN VII. THE ENEMYVIII. THE THIN END IX. THE ENEMY MOVES X. A WARNING VOICE XI. A BROKEN REED XII. A MAN OF HONOURXIII. WOMANHOOD

PART III

I. WAR II. FIREWORKS III. THE TURN OF THE TIDE IV. "MINE OWN FAMILIAR FRIEND" V. A DESPERATE REMEDY VI. WHEN LOVE DEMANDS A SACRIFICE VII. THE WAY OF THE WYNDHAMSVIII. THE TRUTH

PART IV

I. THE REFUGEE II. A MIDNIGHT VISITOR III. A FRUITLESS ERRAND IV. THE DESIRE OF HIS HEART V. THE STRANGER VI. MAN TO MAN VII. THE MESSENGERVIII. ARREST IX. VALPRÉ AGAIN X. THE INDESTRUCTIBLE XI. THE END OF THE VOYAGE XII. THE PROCESSION UNDER THE WINDOWS

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER I

THE KNIGHT OF THE MAGIC CAVE

When Cinders began to dig a hole no power on earth, except brute force,could ever stop him till he sank exhausted. Not even the sight of a crabcould divert his thoughts from this entrancing occupation, much less hismistress's shrill whistle; and this was strange, for on all otheroccasions it was his custom to display the most exemplary obedience.

Of a cheerful disposition was Cinders, deeply interested in all thingsliving, despising nothing however trivial, constantly seeking, and veryoften finding, treasures of supreme value in his own estimation. It wasprobably this passion for investigation that induced him to dig with suchenergy and perseverance, but he was not an interesting companion when thedigging mood was upon him. It was, in fact, advisable to keep at adistance, for he created a miniature sand-storm in his immediate vicinitythat spoiled the amusement of all except him

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