A PRINCE OF SINNERS
by
E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM
Contents
PART I.
I. Mr. Kingston Brooks, Political Agent II. The Bullsom Family at Home III. Kingston Brooks has a Visitor IV. A Question for the Country V. The Marquis of Arranmore VI. The Man who went to Hell VII. A Thousand Pounds VIII. Kingston Brooks makes Inquiries IX. Henslow speaks out X. A Tempting Offer XI. Who the Devil is Brooks? XII. Mr. Bullsom gives a Dinner-party XIII. Charity the "Crime" XIV. An Awkward Question XV. A Supper-party at the "Queen's" XVI. Uncle and Niece XVII. Fifteen Years in Hell XVIII. Mary Scott pays an Unexpected Call XIX. The Marquis Mephistopheles XX. The Confidence of Lord Arranmore
PART II.
I. Lord Arranmore's Amusements II. The Heckling of Henslow III. Mary Scott's Two Visitors IV. A Marquis on Matrimony V. Brooks enlists a Recruit VI. Kingston Brooks, Philanthropist VII. Brooks and his Missions VIII. Mr. Bullsom is Staggered IX. Ghosts X. A New Don Quixote
PART III.
I. An Aristocratic Recruit II. Mr. Lavilette interferes III. The Singular Behaviour of Mary Scott IV. Lord Arranmore in a New Role V. Lady Sybil lends a Hand VI. The Reservation of Mary Scott VII. Father and Son VIII. The Advice of Mr. Bullsom IX. A Question and an Answer X. Lady Sybil says "Yes" XI. Brooks hears the News XII. The Prince of Sinners speaks out
A Prince of Sinners
PART I
CHAPTER I
MR. KINGSTON BROOKS, POLITICAL AGENT
Already the sweepers were busy in the deserted hall, and the lights burned low. Of the great audience who had filled the place only half-an-hour ago not one remained. The echoes of their tumultuous cheering seemed still to linger amongst the rafters, the dust which their feet had raised hung about in a little cloud. But the long rows of benches were empty, the sweepers moved ghostlike amongst the shadows, and an old woman was throwing tealeaves here and there about the platform. In the committee-room behind a little group of men were busy with their leave-takings. The candidate, a tall, somewhat burly man, with hard, shrewd face and loosely knit figure, was shaking hands with every one. His tone and manner savoured still of the rostrum.
"Good-night, sir! Good-night, Mr. Bullsom! A most excellent introduction, yours, sir! You made my task positively easy. Good-night, Mr. Brooks. A capital meeting, and everything very well arranged. Personally I feel very much obliged to you, sir. If you carry everything through as smoothly as this affair to-night, I can see that we shall lose nothing by poor Morrison's breakdown. Good-night, gentlemen, to all of you. We will meet at the club at eleven o'clock to-morrow morning. Eleven o'clock precisely, if you please."
Table of contents (by pages)
- 1: A Prince of Sinners by E. Phillips Oppenheim
- 2: Bullsom opened the door of his carriage
- 3: And Henslow has a very good idea how to get them
- 4: Bullsom abandoned his position precipitately
- 5: Bullsom had carefully placed it there a few hours ago
- 6: But Selina came tripping across the room
- 7: Selina tossed her much beaded slipper impatiently
- 8: Bullsom had entrusted a small case to him
- 9: And a lady devoted to philanthropic work
- 10: His visitor repeated in a colourless tone
- 11: Brooks declared with conviction
- 12: I say that the next readjustment of Parties
- 13: Bullsom walked back to his office with Brooks
- 14: Bullsom was silent for several moments
- 15: I'm sure he's most gentlemanly
- 16: As a matter of fact she was having tea with Kingston Brooks
- 17: But it was the pallor of refinement
- 18: You should apply to my cousin Selina for that
- 19: Wensome tried to appeal to his humanity
- 20: Sydney Chester Molyneux stood with his cue in one hand
- 21: Hennibul can play our best ball
- 22: What you think of Syd Molyneux
- 23: Lady Caroom always amused him so well
- 24: Arranmore glanced once more at the card between his fingers
- 25: But I must be getting back to Medchester as soon as possible
- 26: I should not think of subscribing to it
- 27: But Arranmore only rang the bell
- 28: Molyneux smiled an imperturbable smile
- 29: For a second Arranmore stood motionless
- 30: From Lake Ono to Medchester is a long way
- 31: Arranmore isn't keen about his bag
- 32: As the boot manufacturer puts it
- 33: We want a commission of plain business men
- 34: It is nothing to Lord Arranmore
- 35: Lord Arranmore shrugged his shoulders
- 36: Lord Arranmore shrugged his shoulders
- 37: Lord Arranmore shrugged his shoulders
- 38: Lord Arranmore shrugged his shoulders
- 39: Here comes Lady Caroom at last
- 40: Molyneux leaned forward tea cup in hand
- 41: Lord Arranmore remarked lightly
- 42: He took up his cue and scored an excellent break
- 43: BULLSOM GIVES A DINNER PARTY God bless my soul
- 44: What a beautiful day you must have had at Enton
- 45: Seventon is most dreadfully proper
- 46: Lord Arranmore is a wonderful shot
- 47: Bullsom is a very good sort indeed
- 48: Seventon alone all the evening
- 49: Ascough shrugged his shoulders
- 50: Ascough he put the matter behind him
- 51: There is a great deal of distress
- 52: Lady Caroom and Lord Arranmore came in together
- 53: Lord Arranmore has not finished yet
- 54: So will I if I am in Medchester
- 55: Only the things which satisfy them do not satisfy me
- 56: So Lord Arranmore was in Canada
- 57: Louise admitted that the idea had occurred to her
- 58: Henslow had been pleasant enough
- 59: Bullsom had refreshed himself with whisky and water
- 60: We were so comfortable at Enton
- 61: Lady Caroom has such a delightfully easy way of romancing
- 62: I hope you will come to Enton before we leave
- 63: He has made me feel at home at Enton
- 64: Bullsom took off his spectacles and wiped them carefully
- 65: But my girls oughtn't to be vulgar
- 66: Bullsom stroked his chin thoughtfully
- 67: Selina eyed her father in angry astonishment
- 68: Enton is the cosiest large house I was ever in
- 69: You refuse to offer any explanation
- 70: Lord Arranmore stirred his tea slowly
- 71: Your mother and Lord Arranmore
- 72: Whatever can have happened to old Bullsom
- 73: Lord Arranmore is very eccentric
- 74: Lord Arranmore turned upon him with a rare irritation
- 75: You may be the Marquis of Arranmore now
- 76: Lord Arranmore shrugged his shoulders
- 77: Lord Arranmore is not an impulsive person
- 78: He offered his arm to Lady Caroom
- 79: Lady Caroom watched them both thoughtfully
- 80: You must tell them that up at Redcliffe
- 81: Lord Arranmore looked around at his guests
- 82: That you build these gin palaces
- 83: His eyes were fixed upon Lord Arranmore
- 84: Lady Caroom was white to the lips
- 85: For the first time Lord Arranmore smiled
- 86: Ascough of your more reasonable frame of mind
- 87: Hennibul found conversation difficult
- 88: Hennibul looked serious for a moment
- 89: Lord Arranmore looked into the fire
- 90: Bullsom shook hands as though it were a sacrament
- 91: Bullsom found his breath taken away
- 92: But I have just come from Medchester
- 93: And he was to accompany the Bullsoms to the theatre
- 94: Arranmore glanced at the clock
- 95: Lord Arranmore winced perceptibly
- 96: After Medchester this is elysium
- 97: Stand for Medchester than anywhere
- 98: Why are you so bitter against Lord Arranmore
- 99: That must be a matter of conscience
- 100: CHAPTER IVA MARQUIS ON MATRIMONY My dear Miss Scott
- 101: I don't believe in the conscience
- 102: Ascough greeted him with an inquiring smile
- 103: To make yourself obnoxious thoroughly obnoxious
- 104: Hennibul went on with his supper in silence
- 105: And there are millions in Medchester
- 106: There's a mission hall just there
- 107: The waiter retreated with a bow
- 108: Lady Caroom is an awfully good sort
- 109: PHILANTHROPIST It is my deliberate intention
- 110: Lord Arranmore smiled a little bitterly
- 111: The purple colouring of that tapestry is marvellous
- 112: Said a bibulous old costermonger
- 113: Cried the disgusted costermonger
- 114: Miss Hardinge was not unreasonably annoyed
- 115: A hardened and incurable prostitute
- 116: Brooks waited without any sign of impatience
- 117: And horl I want is a bit o' help towards the security
- 118: Bullsom shook with good humoured laughter
- 119: Bullsom was positively frightened
- 120: Bullsom dropped his cigar from between his fingers
- 121: Bullsom for half the time was curiously abstracted
- 122: Selina was immediately grave not to say scornful
- 123: Bullsom glanced around the room
- 124: As keen on the work as Brooks himself
- 125: Were one and all discussing his new charitable schemes
- 126: Sometimes with the smooth tongue of deceit
- 127: The pressman folded it up silently
- 128: The same suspicion could never fall on Lord Kingston Ross
- 129: Found himself face to face with Sybil Caroom
- 130: But you made me think do you remember that night at Enton
- 131: Those days at Enton lay very far back
- 132: Why doesn't he pitch into Lavilette
- 133: Looking Lord Arranmore in the face
- 134: And Lord Arranmore calmly outstayed all the other callers
- 135: All Melton was talking about your reckless riding
- 136: A little merciless in that clear north light
- 137: Lady Caroom has been awfully good to me
- 138: Why was he so miserably indifferent
- 139: Lady Caroom exclaimed with delight
- 140: And picked up by a Sark fishing smack
- 141: Hennibul stood looking after them for a moment
- 142: I have intruded upon your concerns
- 143: You are not taking care of yourself
- 144: Lady Sybil knows the conditions
- 145: Sybil stole a swift side glance at her
- 146: And smelling strongly of disinfectant
- 147: Lord Arranmore shook his head slowly
- 148: In the Haymarket she came face to face with Brooks
- 149: She has had trouble of some sort
- 150: Lord Arranmore shrugged his shoulders
- 151: But Lady Caroom touched Brooks upon his shoulder
- 152: He looked across at Lady Caroom
- 153: Lord Arranmore is candour itself
- 154: I have seen you once or twice with Sybil Caroom
- 155: Lord Arranmore continued in measured tones
- 156: It was at Medchester that he recovered his spirits
- 157: Bullsom laid hold of the strap of the carriage
- 158: Bullsom mopped his forehead again
- 159: Bullsom mixed himself a whisky and soda
- 160: Lady Caroom and Sybil had left for Homburg
- 161: Brooks leaned over and took her hand
- 162: You ask me out of pity because you cannot forget
- 163: And when the cab rolled away Brooks felt lonelier than ever
- 164: Lady Caroom put down her parasol and turned towards Sybil
- 165: Atherstone has improved a great deal
- 166: Lady Caroom pressed her daughter's hand
- 167: Have you met Sybil and Atherstone
- 168: The first was from Lord Arranmore
- 169: The other letter was from Lady Caroom
- 170: For the deserving and the deserving only
- 171: In the person of the Bishop of Beeston
- 172: Arranmore sat by himself in his study
