Breathless was she and would not have us part: "Adieu, my Saint," I said, "'tis come to this."

But she leaned to me, one hand at her heart, And all her soul sighed trembling in a kiss.

DEDICATION OF A BOOK

To the Fountain of my long Dream, To the Chalice of all my Sorrow, To the Lamp held up, and the Stream Of Light that beacons the Morrow;

To the Bow, the Quiver and Dart, To the Bridle-rein, to the Yoke Proudly upborne, to the Heart On Fire, to the Mercy-stroke;

To Apollo herding his Cattle, To Proserpina grave in Dis; To the high Head in the Battle, And the Crown--I consecrate this.

_1911._

BY MAURICE HEWLETT

THE FOREST LOVERS: A ROMANCE.

_SPECTATOR._--"_The Forest Lovers_ is no mere literary _tour de force_, but an uncommonly attractive romance, the charm of which is greatly enhanced by the author's excellent style."

_DAILY TELEGRAPH._--"Mr. Maurice Hewlett's _The Forest Lovers_ stands out with conspicuous success.... There are few books of this season which achieve their aim so simply and whole-heartedly as Mr. Hewlett's ingenious and enthralling romance."

THE SONG OF RENNY.

_EVENING STANDARD._--"Mr. Hewlett has produced a remarkable series of historical novels, and _The Song of Renny_ is one of the best of them.... An admirable romance, full of 'go' and colour and good temper."

_DAILY TELEGRAPH._--"Mr. Hewlett is mounted upon his Pegasus again, riding full tilt against a rushing wind, with the moonlight of imagination playing glorious tricks upon all the marvellous sights around him."

THE QUEEN'S QUAIR: OR, THE SIX YEARS' TRAGEDY.

_ATHENaeUM._--"A fine book, fine not only for its extraordinary wealth of incidental beauties, but also for the consistency of conception and the tolerant humanity with which its main theme is put before you."

_WESTMINSTER GAZETTE._--"That Mr. Maurice Hewlett would give us a flaming, wonderful picture of Queen Mary was a foregone conclusion."

RICHARD YEA-AND-NAY.

Mr. FREDERIC HARRISON in _THE FORTNIGHTLY REVIEW_.--"Such historic imagination, such glowing colour, such crashing speed, set forth in such pregnant form, carry me away spell-bound."

_DAILY TELEGRAPH._--"The story carries us along as though throughout we were galloping on strong horses. There is a rush and fervour about it all which sweeps us off our feet till the end is reached, and the tale is done. It is very clever, very spirited."

LITTLE NOVELS OF ITALY.

_DAILY CHRONICLE._--"And even such as fail to understand, will very certainly enjoy--enjoy the sometimes gay and sometimes biting humour, the deft delineation, the fine quality of colour, the delicately-flavoured phrasing."

_DAILY TELEGRAPH._--"The most finished studies which have appeared since some of the essays of Walter Pater."

OPEN COUNTRY: A COMEDY WITH A STING.

_DAILY TELEGRAPH._--"_Open Country_ is a beautiful bit of work, a work that is inspired through and through with a genuine love for what is pure and beautiful. Mr. Hewlett's main figures have not only a wonderful charm in themselves, but they are n.o.ble, simple, and true-hearted creatures. Sanchia, the heroine, is a divine creation."

_EVENING STANDARD._--"_Open Country_ is an important book and a fine novel."

REST HARROW: A COMEDY OF RESOLUTION.

_DAILY NEWS._--"_Rest Harrow_ has not only the effect of providing an aesthetically logical conclusion to the motives of _Open Country_, but it throws back a radiant retrospective influence, enhancing the value of what has preceded it.... In many ways the best piece of work Mr. Hewlett has done."

_PALL MALL GAZETTE._--"The present book certainly sustains the charm of _Open Country_ without any faltering of dramatic movement."

THE STOOPING LADY.

_DAILY TELEGRAPH._--"A wondrously beautiful piece of fiction, gallant and romantic, a high treat for lovers of good reading."

_WORLD._--"A rarely picturesque and beautiful production."

_EVENING STANDARD._--"A story which fascinates him who reads."

MRS. LANCELOT: A COMEDY OF a.s.sUMPTIONS.

_DAILY TELEGRAPH._--"The story, as a whole, sustains a lofty level of creative vigour, and is dignified, moreover, with something of the epic flavour, as the old order is seen breaking up under the advance of new ideas and revolutionary enthusiasms.... Among the best books that the present age is likely to produce."

_DAILY GRAPHIC._--"The best work of its kind since Meredith."

FOND ADVENTURES: TALES OF THE YOUTH OF THE WORLD.

_SPECTATOR._--"The materials for romance provided by this period (the Renaissance) are inexhaustibly rich, and Mr. Maurice Hewlett is admirably equipped for the task of reconst.i.tuting many of its phases."

_EVENING STANDARD._--"The present volume is a rich mine of beauty. It contains four fine romantic tales."

NEW CANTERBURY TALES.