Gilded Magazine 1.2 (Autumn 2010)

8/3/2019 Gilded Magazine 1.2 (Autumn 2010)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/gilded-magazine-12-autumn-2010 1/36



G entl e R eader, The Pre-launch Issue of GIlDeD was anun-qualiedsuccess,andIhopetheofcialrstissuewillexceeditsachievement.

Sincegoingtopressagreatmanythingshavechanged,mostlypertainingtomygoalsforEdwardianPromenade.ThesitebeganinAugustof2007asarepositoryforalloftheinformationI’dresearchforthreeyearsbeforethat.AtthattimetheEdwardianerawasunchartedterritory,andtosomeextentisremainsso,butIwantedtocarveanicheformyselfintheonlinehistory

blogosphereaswellascreateaplatformformynovels.Needlesstosay,I’vehadablastdiscover-ingnewthingsonwhichtoblogandI’vemadeanumberoffriends.Unfortunately,Ispentmoretimebloggingandconductingresearchthanonwriting!

AsaresultIrealizedIneededtostepbackandtaketimeformyownwriting—andtostopgivingawaymytradesecrets,lol!ThedesirebecamemorepressingwhenIenteredaMills&

Boonwritingcontest(Ididn’tnal,butqueserasera)andreceivedalotofpositivefeedbackandafewconstructivecommentsthatbackedupmygutinstinctsaboutmysubmission.WhenItooktheplungeandenteredthecontest,Igrewex-citedaboutwritingagainandaboutputtingmyexpertiseintheEdwardianeratopractice.Afterall,whatisthepointofformingEdwardianProm-enadeifIhavenobookstopromote?!

OfcourseIwon’tabandonthesiteormyreaders,butthecontentwon’tbeasvoluminousinthefuture.AndperhapsGIlDeDwillbecomeamonthlymagazine!

Fallisaboutnewbeginnings,andinthisissueyouwillndabevyofbeginningstories,

rangingfromthedebutofLadyCynthiaAsquith(néeCharteris),tothesurprisingoriginsofpetfood,andmanythingsinbetween.Andso,with-outfurtherado,IwelcomeyoutotheFALL2010issueofGILDED.

EvangelineHollandSeptember28,2010

[email protected]

http://www.romanceisnotdead.com/Entries/493-A-Mayfair-Seduction

http://www.romanceisnotdead.com/Entries/493-A-Mayfair-Seduction



THE CULT OF THE CHAFING DISHThe luxury item which changed cooking

Thechangdish(fromtheOldFrenchchauffer,“tomakewarm”)gainedacertaincacheintheEdwardianera,morphingfromasimplebrazierin

whichtogentlycookdishesawayfromre,intoaluxuryitemmadeofcopperandsilver.Itsrootswereinthe16thcentury,asearlycookbooksrecognizedthedelicacyofsuchitemsaseggs,cream,andsh,anditwasusedtokeepfoodwarmbeforeserving.

Bythe1890s,thechangdishbecameindispensi-bletohostesses,anditbecamesynonymouswithelegantentertainingatluncheon,tea,andsupper.Moreover,withtheriseof

the“servantproblem”—thatdreadedissueplaguingupperandmiddle-classwomen,whowereunabletokeephelp—itbehoovedhousewivestolearntocook,andwiththechangdishdeemedfashionablebysocialarbiters,Mrs.Knicker-bockerorMrs.BostonBrah-mineagerlyrolleduphersleevesandsettoempressherfriendswithherculinarytalents.

Thechangdishalsofoundfavorwithbachelorsandbachelorgirls.Thelatteroflimitedtime,andtheformeroflimitedexperience,thechangdishmadexingmealseconomical,quick,andsimple.Intandemwiththisusewasthemidnightsupper,whereabachelororbachelorgirlplayedhostorhostessintheirapartment,andentertainedtheir

co-edgroupoffriendswithamealcookedinthedevice.Tomeettheinsatiabledemandforchangdishes,dozensofcookbookspublishedespeciallyforthechangdishwerepublished,andexistingcookbookswerehastilyupdatedtoincludesec-tionsonusingthechangdish.Thecookbooksnotonlyinspirednewmealswithitsemphasisondaintytreats,butneweatingpatterns,theaver-ageAmericanaddingteas,luncheons,andsup-perstotheirmealtimeschedule.

Today,changdishesarequiteexpensive,sincetheyaremostlyusedincatering,butIhaveseensomeinthe$50-100range.Ifyoumanageto

trackonedown(thoughIthinkasmallskilletonlowheatcanbesubstituted),hereareafewdaintyrecipesfrompopularEdwardiancooks:

FannieMerrittFarmer’sChangDishPossibilities(1898):

DEVILEDCRABS

Melttwotablespoons(tbs)ofbutter,addtwotbsofour,andpourongradually11/4cupsofchickenstock.Assoonasmixturethickens,addonecupcrabmeat,one-fourthcupnelychoppedmushrooms,one-halfteaspoon(tsp)salt;one-fourthtspof

paprika,twotbsofsherry,theyolksoftwoeggs,andonetspofnelychoppedparsley.Cook.Servewithsaltinecrackers.

SAUTEDBANANAS

Removeskinsfromthreebananas,cutinhalveslengthwise,andcutagaininhalvescrosswise.Putonetbsbutterinblazer;whenhotaddbananas

andcookuntilsoft,turningonce.Drain,sprinklewithpowderedsugar,andafewdropsoflemon juice;orangejuiceorsherrymaybeusedifpre-ferred.



AliceJ.James’sTheChangDish(1912)

SHERRYOMELETTEWITHWHIPPEDCREAM

Beatfoureggswithfourdessertspoonfulsofsherry,turnintotheblazerinwhichisatbsofhotbutter.Whenreadytofolk,sprinkleontwopinchesofsaltandwhenfolded,dredgegener-

ouslywithpowderedsugar.Servewithaladlefulofwhippedcreamoneachportion,sweetenedtotaste.

H.L.Sawtelle’sWhatOneCanDowithaChang-Dish(1890)

CURRYOFCOLDROASTBEEF

Cutsomeslicesofcoldroastbeefintorather

small,squarepieces,anddredgethemwithour.Chopasmallonionne,andfryitintwotbsofbutterinthechang-dish;addagill(1/2pintor1/2cup)ofstock,andonetbsofcurrypowder.Putinthepiecesofbeef,andletallsimmertenorfteenminutes.

BEIGNETSDEPOMMES

Takesomesoft,tartapples,peelandremovethepips;cutinround,thinslices;plungethemina

mixtureofbrandy,lemonjuiceandsugar,untiltheyhaveacquiredthetaste;drainthem,dustthemwithour.Putinthechang-dishthreetbsofbutter;whenveryhot,frytheslicesonbothsides,sprinklepowderedsugarandcinnamon,andserveveryhot.

LouisMuckensturm’sLouis’Salads&ChangDishes(1906)

BLUEBERRIESAUVERMOUTH

Takeacupfulofblueberries,washanddrythem,addatbsofpowderedsugarandawine-glassfulofFrenchVermouth.Ornamentwithslicedpine-apple.



THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF ADEBUTANTE

Excerpt from REMEMBER & BE GLAD by Cynthia Asquith

Lady Cynthia Asquith (1887-1960) was born Lady Cynthia Charteris, the daughter of the 11th Earl of

Wemyss (pronounced Weemz) and Mary Constance Wyndham, a noted member of The Souls. She madeher debut at age seventeen in 1904 and married Herbert Asquith, son of H. H. Asquith, in 1910. Shemade a lasting friendship with D. H. Lawrence and during the Great War, took a position as secretary to

J. M. Barrie. The bulk of Barrie’s estate, minus Peter Pan, was left to her, and she continued her literaryassociations by writing a number of novels and ghost stories, and edited prestigious anthologies. “Re-member & Be Glad” (1952), was the sequel to her rst book of memoirs, “Haply I Remember” (1950).

ONCOMINGOUT:Thetransformationofachildintoayoungwomanwas dramatically sudden: yesterday her golden

hairwashangingdownherback;todayitwas“up”,coiledintowhatshecalledaGrecianknot,andherbrotherscalleda tea-pothandle.Simultaneouslythehemofherskirtfelltotheground.

Istillremember the thrillofhearingthewhisperofmyrstlongdresspursuingmyheelsdownthestairs, and the queerness of suddenlyno longerbeingabletoseemyownfeet.Iremembertoo,thepangofsayinggoodbyetothatbadgeof ir-responsibility,mypigtail;thelongearnestfamily

confabulationsformothersthenhadampleleisuretodiscussreallyimportantmattersastohowmylongheavyrefractoryhairshouldbedressed,andtheensuinganxietyastowhetheritwouldstayup,whichdespite somefty hairpins itveryseldomdid.Iwassaddenedwasthismorbid--aswellasexcited--bytheseoutwardsignsofpromotion,forthoughinsomesteepleofmysoulthebellsrangmerrily enough for the future, yet through theirchimeIdistinctlyheardaknellforthepast.

ThemetamorphosiscalledComingOutwassup-posedtobeeffectedwhenyouwerepresentedatCourt,wherethewandwasofciallywavedoveryourhead.Thepicturesqueritesofthissocialbap-tismwereprecededbyweeksoftrepidationweeksbusiedwithlonglessonsindeportmentfromMr.D’Egville,theMr.Turveydropoftheday,andpanic-strickenrehearsalsofmycurtsey.(Whycouldn’tIcurtseyasIhadsooftenseenitdoneonthestage?WouldtheKinghearhowloudlymywretched

kneescrackedsnappinglikedrytwigswhenIbenthem?)Thentherewereendlesswearisomehoursoftrying-on.Shiftingmyweightfromonefootto

another,Istoodtwitchingwithboredomwhileportentouslysolemnwomen,withtheirmouthsfullofpins,andtape-measuresslungroundtheirneckskneltatmyfeet,conferringwithoneanotherandfromtimetotimeappealingtothenotwhollyat-tentiveladyofthehouse.

The drive fromCadogan Square toBuckinghamPalaceseemedeternity.Oneofanendlesslineofconveyances,ourhiredcoupecrawledthroughtheunbrokenavenueofsightseers,manyofwhomac-

tuallypressedtheirnosesagainsttheglassjustasthoughwewereashop-windowdisplay,andmadepersonalremarksrichincockneywit.AtlengthwearrivedatthePalace.Thencamethelongsuspenseof waitingwedged into two gold chairs for ourownturntobeusheredintotheRoyalPresenceGhoulishdowagersfrozemyyoungbloodbyre-citingdisastersthathadbefallendebutantes.TheydidnotevenspareusthestoryofthewretchedgirlwhofromextremityofnerveshadbeensickinherSHOE(whatcommendablepresenceofmindtotakeitoff!)ontheveryfootstepsofthethrone

AtlastIndmyselfoneofalongsingleleslowlymoving forward ourish of music; blaze of uni-forms; backward-stepping, white-wanded court-iers;dazzleoflight....SuddenlyIseemtobeallbymyselfinthatercelight.Asmalloodlit,isolatedgure,IamadvancingtowardsTheirMajesties.OcourseIforgeteverythingMr.Turveydrophastaughtme.Heavenknowswhatmyfeetdo,



butthevoluminousfoldsofmydressconcealtheirfumblings.AtleastIdon’ttoppleover,andhow-everloudlymykneesmaycrack,thestrainsoftheorchestraprevail. ... I havepassed into, through,andoutoftheRoyalPresence....KingEdwardandQueenAlexandrahavebothsmiledmostgra-ciously,givingmeevenifonlyforonesplitsecondafterallthoselong,longhoursofpebble-on-the-

beachdeationthelovelyillusionthatthewholemagnicentceremonyhasbeenforME!...

Sothat’sover.“Cincie”,ofciallynowquiteanewperson calledMissCharteris, has been launchedlikeaship.

:Ihated,too,theideaofbeingexpectedtotreatallyoungmenimpartially.Girlshadtotrytomake

themselves--I never could--equally agreeable toanypotentialdancingpartner.Thehumiliatingfactwasthatinaballroomanymanwasbetterthannoman.IfshehadnopartnerforadanceagirlfeltforalltheworldlikeAndromedachainedtoarock;somuchsothatanyman,nomatterhowlittleper-sonallyprepossessing,orhowbrainless,whores-cuedherfromthispredicament,wasaswelcomeasPerseus. Sogreat, indeed,was thestigma at-tachedtobeingawallowerthatratherthanbeseenstandingout,wretchedgirlswouldbravethe

sneersofitsattendantsbyrepeatedlyreturningtothecloakroomforrepairstotheirobviouslyintactdresses,ortore-powdertheiralreadyover-whitenednoses.

Irememberaverynarrowescapeofmyownfromthispublic humiliation.One evening IhappenedtondmyselfataballwhereIknewnoone.TheMerryWidowvalsewasalreadyinitsfullenticingswing,andIcouldscarcelykeepmyfeetstill,butasyetnoonehadaskedmetodance.Iwasbeginning todespair,when a completestrangerpresentedhimselfwiththemumbledrecommen-dation,“IamamemberoftheBathClub.Willyoudancewithme?”Onthestrengthofthis startlingcredentialIdiddancewithhimmostgratefully.

ONTHETYPICALLIFEOFADEBUTANTE:Anoccasionalembarrassmentwasbeingsentintodinnerwithwhatwasodiouslycalleda“Parti”aneligibleyoungman.Thismademepainfully

consciousofbeingthesubjectofspeculation“Isshemakinganyheadway?”IseemedtooverhearTheconverseofaneligiblewascalleda“detrimen-tal”.Nearlyallmyfriendswere“detrimentals”.

Sometimestherowofchaperonsroundthewallatdancesgotbadlyonmynerves.ProvidedIwasen- joyingmyself,Iwasobliviousoftheirpresence,but

indisenchantedmomentsIwouldbecomeheavilyoppressedbytheseonlookerswiththeirfendertiaras,diamonddog-collars,bristlingaigrettes,longkidgloves,anduplifted,appraisinglorgnettes.

Thenthereweresomedistressinglyworried-look-ingwomenwithtightlips—evidentlyfrowns,notsmileshadfurrowedtheirfaces—whoseemedtowatchtheirowndaughterswiththeanxiouseyesofthetrainersofperforminganimals,andothe

people’sdaughterswithavaguehostility.Inill-ateasemomentsIusedtofeelthattheseMammassounlikemyownMamma,wereeyeing“thatChar-terisgirl”withdisapproval.“Whatapity,”IwouldhearorfancyIheardoneremarktoanother;andIwouldwonderwhetherthepitywasthatmyhairwassounfashionablypartedinthemiddle,thathadputmyfootthroughmydress,orthatIwasyetagaindancingwiththesameyoungmanwithwhomIhadalreadydancedthrice—ayoungman“withnomoneyandnoprospects”.

However tired youmight feel afterdancing venightsrunninguntilfourinthemorning,youhadtokeepgoingandbebrightandanimated.Tolookasifyouweren’tenjoyingyourselfwasconsideredveryrudetoyourhostess.ONCONVENTIONSANDRULES:Ithinkwederivednolittleenjoymentfromthesevery rules,whichsuppliedtheexcitementsof anobstaclerace.Thedocilecouldenjoybeingobedi-ent;whilethosewholikedoccasionallytodisobeycoulddosowithoutneedingtobreakeitheralaworacommandment.Havenotthewhollyemancipatedbeendeprivedofthefanofharmlessfor-biddenfruit?Thechiefconventionwastheindis-pensabilityofachaperoninanypublicplace.Tobeseenatatheatre,apicturegallery,arestaurantorinahansomcabalonewithayoungmanwastantamounttoannouncingyourengagementtohim,oropenlyadvertisingthatyouhaddecidedto



throwyourcapoverthewindmill.

Thequalicationsthatconstitutedachaperonal-waysseemedtomecomicallyarbitrary.Nospin-ster,howevermatureandsober,countedasone,whereasanyightychitofeighteenyearsofageautomaticallyacquiredthisstatusdirectlyagoldringencircledherfourthnger.Somedebutantes

werenotevenallowedtohaveayoungmantoteaunchaperoned.Myfriendsand Iwere,but quitea fewmothersconsidered thepracticedenitelywhatwasthencalled“fast”.

ButanyEdwardiangirlwhocovetedareputationforbeingmildlyfast,or,asitwasmoreattering-lyput,“dashing”,couldeasilyindulgethissimpletastewithoutlayinganyheavyburdenonhercon-science.Justtobeseensmokingacigaretteorout

alonewithayoungmanwasquiteenough.

ONADANCES:Often,Iwouldfeeldeadlytiredataboutmidnight,butlateronasortofsecondwindusuallyenabledmetogoonandontoanyhour;andmindyou,inthosedaysdancingwasrealexercise.Facescrim-soned.Somedancerswereclassiedas“Twocol-lar”or“Threecollarmen”.Ballsusuallybeganverysedately,butastheroomthinned,thedancingbe-camewildlyCorybantic.

Elaboratevariationswereimprovised.DisengagingourselvesfromourpartnersintheMerryWidowvalsefashion,wewouldswayroundtheroominfantastic passeuls; now ripplingour arms like sowe attered ourselves Maud Allan; now ing-ingourselvesaboutlikeApaches,ordancingtheCake-Walk.Threadingtheirseparatewaysthroughthemazeofdancers,disunitedpartnerswouldputtheutmostpossibledistancebetweenoneanoth-er;thenconvergingfromtheoppositeendsoftheballroom,joinuptogetheragaintospinfuriouslyroundandrounduntilatlonglastthetwohalvesoftheteetotumreeledapart.

Kitchenlancerswereriotouslyrowdyinfactposi-tivelydangerous.OurfavouritegureLadiestotheCentreconvertedusintoalivingGiant’sStride.Thegirlswereallliftedrightofftheirfeetandswungbytheirfourpartnerswhowitharmsinterlockedrevolvedinaring.

Higherandhigherwewereswirled,untilourleghurtledthroughtheaironalevelwithourpart-ners’shoulders.Ioncesawthetiaraknockedcleanoffanonlooker’sheadbythewhirringheelsofaswunggirl;anothertimemyownheftyfeetcaughtan unfortunateman in the diaphragm, so com-pletelywindinghimthathewasobligedtolieontheoorforseveralminutes.

The mostMarathon-like dancing I ever enjoyedwasinCommemorationWeekatOxford,whereforfournightsinsuccessionwedancedinvasttentsonoorsswungonchains.Onenightwekeptituptillsixinthemorning,andthenwentontheriveuntilitwastimetoattendabreakfast-partygivenbysomekindlydon.Youblottedyourescutcheonifyoueverstoppeddancingforasinglebar.

ClothessufferedcatastrophicdamageatdancesIwouldrecognisesomewispofmaterialswathedroundapairoffeetattheothersideoftheroomasafragmenttornoffmyownfrock,andwithagaspofterrorpicturetheexpressiononmymaid’sfacenextmorning.



Excerpt from: “The End of Books”by

Octave UzanneUzanne,bornOctaveUzanneLouis(1851-1931),wasamanofletters,journalist,andardentbiblio-phileoftheBelleEpoque.Amonghiscontributionstoliterature—novels,fantasybooks,andliteraturereviews—heismostknownforhisworksonwomen’sfashion.Inthefollowingarticle,publishedinan1894issueofScribner’sMagazineIllustrated,Uzannelamentsthedeclineinappreciationforbooksandreadingthroughavarietyoftechnologicaldevices.Withtheriseine-booksandtheso-calleddeclineinreading,thearticleisincrediblyrelevantfortoday!Readtheoriginalhere.

“Itakemystand,therefore,uponthisincontest-ablefact,thatthemanofleisurebecomesdailymorereluctanttoundergofatigue,thatheea-

gerlyseeksforwhathecallsthecomfortable,thatistosayforeverymeansofsparinghimselftheplayandthewasteoftheorgans.Youwillsurelyagreewithmethatreading,aswepractiseittoday,soonbringsongreatweariness;fornotonlydoesitrequireofthebrainasustainedat-tentionwhichconsumesalargeproportionofthecerebralphosphates,butitalsoforcesourbodiesintovariousfatiguingattitudes.Ifwearereadingoneofourgreatnewspapersitconstrainsustoacquireacertaindexterityintheartofturningandfoldingthesheets;ifweholdthepaperwideopenitisnotlongbeforethemusclesoftensionareovertaxed,andnally,ifweaddressourselvestothebook,thenecessityofcuttingtheleavesandturningthemoneafteranother,endsbypro-ducinganenervatedconditionverydistressinginthelongrun.

Theartofbeingmovedbythewit,thegayety,andthethoughtofothersmustsoondemand

greaterfacilities.Ibelieve,then,inthesuccessofeverythingwhichwillfavorandencouragethein-dolenceandselshnessofmen;theelevatorhasdoneawaywiththetoilsomeclimbingofstairs;phonographywillprobablybethedestructionofprinting.Oureyesaremadetoseeandreectthebeautiesofnature,andnottowearthemselvesoutinthereadingoftexts;theyhavebeentoolongabused,andIliketofancythatsomeonewillsoondiscovertheneed

thereisthattheyshouldberelievedbylayingagreaterburdenuponourears.Thiswillbetoes-tablishanequitablecompensationinourgeneral

physicaleconomy...bookswillhavelived,’asforthenovel,orthestoryograph,theauthorwillbe-comehisownpublisher.Toavoidimitationsandcounterfeitshewillbeobliged,rstofall,togotothePatent–Ofce,theretodeposithisvoice,andregisteritslowestandhighestnotes,givingallthecounter-hearingsnecessaryfortherecogni-tionofanyimitationofhisdeposit.TheGovern-mentwillrealizegreatprotsbythesepatents.”

http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/u/uzanne/octave/end/

http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/u/uzanne/octave/end/



“Ateveryopenplaceinthecitylittlebuildingswillbeerected,withhearingtubescorrespondingtocertainworkshungallaroundforthebenetofthestudiouspasser-by.Theywillbeeasilyworkedbythemerepressureofabutton.Ontheotherside,asortofautomaticbook-dealer,setinmo-tionbyanickelintheslot,willforthistriingsumgivetheworksofDickens,Dumaspére,or

Longfellow,onlongrollsallpreparedforhomeconsumption.

Igoevenfarther:theauthorwhodesiresperson-allytobringhisworktothepublicknowledgeafterthefashionofthetrouvéresoftheMiddleAges,carryingthemaboutfromhousetohouse,maydrawamodestbutalwaysremunerativeprotbyrentingtoalltheinmatesofthesameapartment-houseasortofportableorgan,which

maybeslungovertheshoulder,composedofaninnitenumberofsmalltubesconnectedwithhisauditoryshop,bymeansofwhichhisworksmaybewaftedthroughtheopenwindowstotheearsofsuchlodgersasmaydesireamusementinamomentofleisure,orcheerinanhourofsoli-tude.” “Thekinetographwillbetheillustratorofdailylife

;notonlyshallweseeitoperatinginitscase,butbyasystemoflensesandreectorsalltheguresinactionwhichitwillpresentinphotochromomaybeprojecteduponlargewhitescreensinour

ownhomes.Scenesdescribedinworksofctionandromancesofadventurewillbeimitatedbyappropriatelydressedgurantsandimmediatelyrecorded.Weshallalsohave,bywayofsupple-menttothedailyphonographicjournal,aseriesofillustrationsoftheday,slicesofactivelife,sotospeak,freshcutfromtheactual.Weshallseethenewpiecesandtheactorsatthetheatre,aseasilyaswemayalreadyhearthem,inourownhomes;weshallhavetheportrait,and,betterstill,theveryplayofcountenance,offamousmen,

criminals,beautifulwomen.Itwillnotbeart,itistrue,butatleastitwillbelife,naturalunderallitsmake-np,clear,precise,andsonietimesevencruel.”



The Feline CuisineThe Care and Feeding of Cats in the Edwardian Era

Ifyouareacatloverlikeme,oneofthegreat-estpleasurefoundinowningacatiswhenthey

ceasetheircaterwaulingaroundthehousetobefed!It’samazinghowquietarambunctiouscatcanbeonceyoupouracanofwetfoodorscoopahandfulofdryfoodintotheirdishes,butit’sevenmoreamazingthatupuntiltheturnofthecentury,catsanddogsexistedontablescraps,prey,andwhattheycouldbegfrombutchersandshermen.Evenmoreappallingisthelament

inone“catlovers”bookoftheperiod,overthecustomof“feed[ing]thehouse-catinaveryirregularmanner,and,throughnegligence,oftennotatall:hencethereasonwhyoneseessomanyhalf-starvedcatsabout.”

Withsomanycatsanddogslefttostarve,eventhose

ownedbythewealthyandwell-to-do,itisnowonderthatAmericanelectricianandentrepreneur,JamesSpratt,sawanopportunitywhenhevisitedEnglandinthe1860s.Thoughafewwritersstressedtheneedforseparatefoodfordomesticcatsanddogspriortothisperiod,andsomeEng-lishcompaniesdidselldogbiscuits,Sprattwasthersttotakeapatentondogfood.

Heenteredthemarketinthe1870swithhispat-enteddogbiscuit,“PatentedMeatFibrineDogCake,”consistingofblendedwheatmeals,veg-etables,beetrootandbuffalomeat,wasmanu-facturedonthepremisesofLondon-basedrm,Walker,HarrisonandGarthwaite,whoclaimedtohavebakedtherstdogcake.SprattactivelycourtedthebusinessofEnglishsportinggentle-men,whonodoubtrealizedtheneedtocareandfeedtheirdogsaswellastheydidtheirhorses.

Withhissuccessfulmaneuveringtotheforefrontofthedogfoodmarket,Sprattbeganmanufac-

turingcatfood,withtestimonialsproclaiming“Ofthesolidfoodssold...theleastgenerallysaidthebetter...someofitissimplyrubbish;thechiefef-fortsofthevendorsbeingtheextractionofcash...TheonlyexceptionisSpratt’sCatFood.”

SprattbegantosellhisproductsintheUnitedStates,alsotarget-ingsportsmen,kennelclubs,anddogshows,andafterhisdeath

in1880,thecompanysetupanAmericanbranchrstinNewYorkCity,andtheninNewark,NewJersey,whereitcontinuedtolepatentsforimprovedbusiness.

Pushingthecompanyfurtherintothepubliceyeastheonlydestinationforhealthy,tastyandnutritiouspetfood,thecompany

wentpublicandbecameknownasSpratt’sPatent,Limited,andSpratt’sPatent(America)Lim-ited.MarketingSpratt’swasaggressive,withproductrecog-

nitiondevelopedthroughalogo,billboardsandadsinmagazinesandcigarettecards,andthenovelconceptofpetsrequiringdifferentfoodforeachoftheirlife’sstages.Bythe1890s,Spratt’swasabletoboastofa“SpecialAppointment”toQueenVictoria,aswellasitsaristocraticclientele.

InEngland,Spratt’sexpandeditsofferingstobecomeaone-stopshopforanythingpetownersneeded,fromsuppliesandappliances,toboard-ing,quarantine,andshippingservives,showandexhibitionservives,andinformationalbrochuresandmagazines.



Thecompanyfurthermadeitsmarkatthe1904World’sFairinSt.Louis,whereitsdisplaywastiledentirelyindogbiscuits.Bytheturnofthecentury,Spratt’sremainedaby-wordfortop-notchcatanddogfood,butcompetitionwasnippingatitsheels.

Themanufactureofpetfoodshadbecomeso

widespread--whichnaturallyloweredprices--ownerswereadvisedtofeedtheirpetsthreetofourtimesaweek!!ThebiggestcompetitionSpratt’sfacedwastheemergenceofF.H.Ben-nett’s“milkbonebiscuit.”ThoughBennett’sotherpetfooddidn’tcatchon,hisfortunewasmade,andsoon,othermanufacturerssteppedup,suchasP.M.Chappelwithhiscanneddogfood“Ken-L-Ration,”inthe1920s,andClarenceGaineswithhisdryformula.

Spratt’sanditscompetitorsheldonuntilthepost-WWIIperiod,whenconsumersbegantoed-ucatethemselvesonpropernutritionandhealthfortheirbelovedpets.Mostpre-warcompanieswereswallowedbynationalconglomerates,orfadedawayintoobscurity,buthaditnotbeenforsuchcompaniesasSpratt’s,catsanddogsprob-ablywouldhaveturnedonhumansalongtimeago!

Readmoreaboutpetfoodinthefollowingbooks:Pet fooD natIon: the smart, easy, anD healthy way to

feeD your Pet nowbyByJoanWeiskopf

feeD your Pet rIGht: the authorItatIve GuIDe to feeD-

InG your DoG anD catbyMarionNestle&MaldenNesheim



The Orient Express:The Birth of a Legend

Onacertainmorningin1883,onlythekeenestofeyeswouldhavefoundinterestthesmallpara-graphintheTimes,detailingtheinauguralvoy-

ageofthenew,quickrailwayservicelinkingParisandConstantinople.Tomostpeoplelivinginthe1880s,thedebutofanewrailwaylineincitedthebarestofcuriosity;however,thiswasnoordinarytrain,thiswastheOrientExpress.Thistrain,inwhichresidedalltheglamourandmysteryofthersthalfofthe20thcentury,emergedfromhum-bleroriginsasthebrainchildofayoungBelgianbanker,Georges

Nagelmackers.

NAGELMACKERS’DREAM

Nagelmackerswasbornin1845toawell-to-dofamilywithclosetiestotheBelgianroyalfamily.Ashecameofage,hedreadedthestuffy,monotonouslifeofabanker,andbegantodreamoftrains.Notjustanysortoftrain,

butaluxurious,eleganttrainthatwouldcombinethehighestlevelsofcomfortwithtraveltoexoticdestinations.Overthecourseofthe19thcentury,trainsrapidlychangedthewaypeopletraveled.Fromroyaltytofarmhand,therailwayenabledtravelforall,inamoderatelycomfortableandexpedientmanner.Hewishedtotaketraintravelanotherstep:atranscontinentalrailway.ButwouldEurope,politicallycomplexandmutuallysuspicious,relaxtheirguardtowel-comehisproposedrailwayline?

AtriptoAmerica,primarilytomendhisbrokenheartafterafailedloveaffair,sparkedNagel-mackers’imagination.Atthetimeofhistrip,theCivilWarhadended,andprosperitywasintheair,andwithit,thenewly-builttranscontinentalrailwaylinkingAmerica“fromseatoshiningsea.”Hetraveledeverywhere,dazzledbythecoopera-tionofrivalcompaniesandfascinatedbythenewexperienceofbigpassengercarsbuiltassaloons.

Incarsdeckedoutwithmirrors,carvedwood-workandingeniousmethodsofturninguphol-steredseatsintosleepingbunksfornighttravel,

theAmericans,unliketheirEuropeancounter-parts,werebuildingspeciallydesignedvehiclesforcomfortandluxury.

HespentjustoverayearinAmericabeforereturningtoLiege,fullofplans.HisfatherwasjustasenthusedandamazedbyNagelmackers’impressions,andtogether,theyproposedtheorganizationofa

railwaycompanytoKingLeop-oldII.CombiningthemethodsofAmericaningenuityandEuropeanelegance,NagelmackersetCiewasformed.WiththeKing’snameheadingthelistofsubscribers,andaletterofintroductionfromLeopold,itwasguaranteedthatrelativesoftheKing—andeverysocialclimberinBelgium—wouldeagerlycontributetoeitherthe

subscriptionortothepurchaseofstockinthecompany.

Beforehisplansreachedfruition,Nagelmackersexperiencedanotherseriesofsetbacks,thistimethatofawar,andadisreputableandwilyAmeri-canbusinesspartnerbythenameofColonelMann.Buthesoonrecovered,andthecompanywasrebornasLaCompagnieInternationaledesWagon-Lits.HenownegotiatedrunningrightsforWagon-Litsovervariouslines,linkingParistoothercapitals,suchasRomeandBerlin,andCal-ais,fortheBritishtrade.Heintroducedhisrstdining-caronatrialrunfromMarseillestoNice.Despiteitstinykitchenandsaloonssetasideforbothsexes,itwasahugesuccess,andNagel-mackersfeltreadytoachievehisdream.



THEORIENTEXPRESS

Thefashionably-dressed,obviouslywealthycrowdmillingaboutParis’Garedel’Esttheeve-ningofOctober4,1883werewaitingtobeawed.HeavilyadvertisedbyWagon-Litsmonthsinadvance,newspaperschristenedita“landliner”anda“grandhotelonwheels”--oneheadline

colorfullyproclaimingit“TheMagicCarpettotheOrient.”Grandiosenamesfortrainitseems,butthiswasthesortofpublicityNagelmackers’deserved,asarewardforthepainstakingjourneytothisinauguraltrip.PreviousyearsfoundhimpersonallyfollowingthetortuousroutesaroundEuropetondthebestpossiblewaytolinkParisandConstantinople,andnegotiatingrightsforatrainmadeentirelyofWagon-Litstocoverthe journey,viaStrasbourg,Vienna,andBucharest,

formingtheOrientExpress.Now,themagnicenttrainwasmakingitsdebut.

Amongsttheselecteddignitariesinvitedaboardthetrain’srsttripwerenovelistandjournal-istEdmondAbout,andHenriOpperdeBlowitz,ParisCorrespondentfortheTimes.Bothhaveleftdelightfulaccountsoftheirtripaboardthetrain,andthatnight,astheymingledwithotherim-portantguests,theywerereadytobeimpressed.AstheOrientExpresschuggedintothestation,

resplendentin“gleaming,royal-blueliverypickedoutwithgold,”itsgloriousinteriorswerelitbygaslampsfromwithin,allowingthosestandingonthedarkenedquayapeekinsidethemagni-centvehicleinwhichtheyweretotravel.

Thepassengersenteredthetrainandmetfur-thersplendors.Eachcaraccommodatedtwentypassengers,andthecompartments,paneledinteakandmahoganywithinlaidmarquetry,fea-turedplush,leather-embossedseatswhichbynight,wereconvertedtobedsandcoveredwithsilksheets,thenestwoolblanketsandcounter-paneslledwiththelightestofeiderdown.Aboutaccountedhisdelightinthetrain,testingthespeakingtubeprovidingcommunicationwiththeconducteur,andthetoiletcabinet,whichfea-tured“Italianmarblexturesanddecoratedpor-celainbasins.”Duringhisexplorationshenoticedaservantstationedoutsidethedoor.Hisduty?

Tocleanthecabinetaftereachuseinpreparationforitsnextoccupant.

Whatmostimpressedpassengerswasthedin-ingcar.Gaschandelierscastlightonasceneofopulence:atoneend,forladies,adoublecom-partmentttedwithdelicateLouisXVfurnitureandwalltapestriesimitatingWatteau,andatthe

other,anornatelyfurnishedgentleman’ssmokingroom,lledwithbookcasesladenwithreadingmatterfromEngland,France,GermanyandAus-tria.Betweenthemwasthediningsalon.Scarcelyasurfacewasfreeofcarvedscrolls,cornicesandscallops,curlicuesandswagsofowersinmarquetryandgilt.Tableslaidwithsnowydam-askcloth,withnapkinsfoldedtoformbutterypatterns,werecompletedbysettingsmadeupofthenestBaccaratcrystal,solidsilvercutleryand

platesofthenestporcelain,gold-rimmedandadornedwiththecrestoftheCompagnie.Wait-ersattiredinpowderedwigs,tailcoats,breechesandstockingscirculatedthroughthecar.Theconducteursandtheirattendantswerescarcelylesselegantly-appointedinpeakcap,gold-braideduniformandhighly-polishedbootsintheCompagnie’ssignatureroyalblue.

AsthetrainmadeitswayacrossFrancetowardsBavaria,malepassengersquicklydiscovereda

mostimportantamenityastheyshavedforsup-per.Wagon-Litswereequippedwithbrand-newbogies,enablingEuropeanmentoshavewithoutfearofcuttingtheirthroatsforthersttime.

Inthetiny,crampedquartersofthekitchenplacedattheendofdining-car,thechefdecuisineandhisstaffaboardthetrainworkedmiracles.Notonlyweretheyexpectedtoprovidetherich,heavydishesfavoredbypassengers,butculturalnorms,suchaskosherorhalalmeals,weretobeaccommodated--evenatthelastminute,asonechefdiscoveredwhenaMahara- jahtravelingwithhiswivesdesiredspicedlambduringastorm.Passengerquirksweretobeca-teredto,asinthecaseofanAustrianarchduch-esswhowouldfeedherthreepoodlesonlyonslicesofmilk-fedcalf,oraBritishnancierwhoonlyorderedalightsouféwithdrybiscuitandamorselofcheese.



SPIES’TRAIN

TheOrientExpress,runningthroughtheCon-tinent’smostsensitiveareas,becameaperfectmodeoftravelforthesecretagentsofmanyna-tions,andthechannelusedforthecollectingandpassingofintelligence.

TheQueen’sMessen-gersofEngland,andthecouriersdiplo-matiquesofFranceforgedcontractswithWagon-Litsfortheprovisionofreservedcompartmentsonceaweekonthetrain,costpaidwhetheraccom-

modationwasusedornot.Nearlyalwaysre-tiredofcersuptotherankofcolonel,anddistinguishedwarvet-erans,QM’scouldberecognizedbysight:eachworeabadgewiththeemblemofasilvergreyhound,theelaboratelysealed

baghandcuffedtotheirwristforaddedsecurity.Incontrast,Frenchcourierstrav-eledinconspicuously,impeccablydressedandsometimesaccompaniedbyabeautifulwoman,allowingthemtoeasilyposeasawealthy,idlepassenger.

Other,moresinisterpassengerswhokeptalivethedangerous,mysteriousaurathatsurround-edthetrainwereBasilZaharoff,andCalousteGulbekian.Theformer,anAnatolianarmsdealer,usedtheOrientExpresstocompletehisillicittransactions;thelatter,anArmenianoiltycoon,alsoknownas“Mr.FivePercent,”duetotheprac-ticeoftakingonlythatamountfromeveryoilconcessionhebrokered.,usedthetraintocom-binepleasuretripsandintelligencegathering.Rumorhadit,awomanwasprovidedforhisuse

solelyforthedurationofthejourney,uponwhenitended,shewaswell-paidandneverseenagain

Anaturalresultofthetensionsandintriguesnotonlyaboardthetrain,butinembassiesandroyalcourtsofEurope,wastheFirstWorldWar.Wagon-Litsfounditsservicecurtailedandthen

interruptedfortheduration

ofthewar.Aconsolationtotheseizureoftheremain-ingcarsbehindtheWesternfrontbyGermany—whopromptlyconsolidatedthemintoalinenamed“Mitropa”andconnectingBerlinwithConstantinople—wastheuseofcarNo2419asthesiteoftheArmisticeConventionin

1918,wheretheAlliesac-ceptedGermansurrender.However,twenty-twoyearslater,thatsamecarwashauledouttoCompiegnebyHitler,whereheacceptedFrenchsurrender.ThecarwasshippedtoBerlinandthendetonatedin1944whentheAxispowersbeganlosingthewar.

HEY-DAYOFTHEORIENTEXPRESS

Thelastthingonanyone’smindattheendofthemodernworld’srstcatastrophicwasthepleasurable,frivoloustrainservicelinkingPariswiththedecadentOrient.Foremostinthoughtwasthedrastictransforma-tionofEurope’smap:mightyempireshadfallen,andoutofthem,unstablerepublicsandsocialiststatescarved.MilesoftrackslaymangledandWagon-Lits’missingtrainscurtailedanewbegin-ning.Butpoliticians,eagerforareturntoapastpeaceincludedanarticleintheTreatyofVer-sailles,addressingtheneedforaninternationaltrainservice.



ToavoidGermany,theOrientExpresstrans-formedtotheSimplon-OrientExpressbyuseofthetunnelbuiltinItalypriortothewarandcompletedin1932.ThisnewrouteconnectedParistothenewly-renamedIstanbul,viaMilan,VeniceandYugoslavia.Despiteitsinauspiciousbeginnings,theinterwarperiodwastocreateandcementuponpopularculture,theglamour

andmysteryoftheOrientExpress.

MostofthatmythwaspromotedbyAgathaChristie’smystery,MurderontheOrientExpress.Init,Christie’sdapperdetective,HerculePoirot,solvedamysteryaboardthetrainwhiletrappedin

asnowdrift.ButthiscalamitydidbefalltheOrientExpress!

OnatripoccurringlateJanu-ary1929,

thetrainwaslostinthesnowjustovertheTurkishborder.WeatherconditionsinEuropethatwinterhadbeenappallingandablizzardsetin,freezingma- jorrivers,portsandcanals,andswiftwindssweptfromRussiatoAustria.Allmotionhadfrozen,excepttheOrientExpress.Wagon-Lits’concernfortheirreputationforcedthetraintopressondespiteworseningweatherandafterreachingTurkey,thetrainshudderedtoahalt.Itremainedthatwayforsixdays,untilTurkishtroops,ladenwithprovisionsandamotorizedsledgecametotherescue.

Fictionalizedportrayalsofthetrainabounded,includingGrahamGreene’sStamboulTrainandEricAmbler’sTheMaskofDimitrios,whileHitch-cockimmortalizedthetraininhisclassicthriller,TheLadyVanishes.EvenJamesBondmadeanappearanceaboard,Flemingusingthetrainasthesceneofthesecretagent’snear-fatal

encounterwithSMERSH.Throughthesemedi-ums,theOrientExpresswasnowimmersedinpopularculture.Littledidanyoneknowatrainofitskindwouldneverbeseenagain.

REQUIEMFORATRAIN

Theintroductionofcheap,non-stopightsfromEurope’smajorcapitals,andthearrivaloftheBoeing707,conrmedthedawnofanewageintravel.Nolongerwasthejourneyconsideredapartofvacation;itsimplywasthequickestroute

betweentwopoints.TheOrientExpresslimpedoninthepost-war

years,shuf-ingroutesandshorteningtheminefforttocompetewithairlines.Thoughtravelbytrainwaslessexpedient,itwasmostconvenientfor

avoidinglonglinesandwaitingperiods.Butthesortofpassen-gerwhocouldafford—anddesire—thismodeoftraveldiminishedquicklyoverthenextdecadesuntilWagon-Litscouldaffordthelinenomore.Whenanaljourneywasannouncedandthelinebrokenup,withselectcarssoldatauction,thosewhorememberedthetrainwereonlyleftwithhazymemoriesandtheknowledgethatneveragainwillthereexistsuchatraintocaptureourimaginations.





A TRULY TRANSATLANTIC SOCIETYThe Golden Age of Travel and the origins of an international Jet Set.

Thewealthyandwell-bornhavealwayshadtheirGrandToursandforeignprocessions,buttheAgeofSteamandElectricity,ifnottheexplosionofco-lossalwealthbornfromthesetwoelements,madetravelingforleisureaclass-widepasttime.ThomasCookopenedtravel tomiddle-class Britons,andBaedeker’s guide-books brought sophistication.However,itwasthetiesbetweenthemajorcitiesoftheUnitedStatesandthecourtsofEurope(Ihypothesize that theseige laidby theAmericanheiressonEuropeannobles created these links),andbetweentheBritishEmpire,whichcreatedaSocietyonascaleneverseenbefore.Bytheend

of the Edward-ianerain1914,itwas common forAmericans, Brit-ons, and Euro-peans to live in acontinuous stateofSocial Seasons!Andallofthiswasfacilitated by theoceansteamship.

The roots of thesteamshipreachesback to the 16thcentury, whenthere arose agrowing need forapowerotherthanthe“cklewind”or“laboringoar.”However,thisdemanddidnotreachfruitionuntiltheearly19thcentury,whenshippingmag-

nates grabbed any steam-powered invention insearchofonewhichwouldpushthemandtheirships ahead of the competition. Success cameaboutinthe1820s,whentherststeamerspliedtheirtradebetweenDublinandHolyhead,andDo-verandCalais.

TherstvesseltocrosstheAtlanticwastheSavan-nah,ashipwhichcrossedoldandnewtechnolo-gies,beingttedwithasteam-engineandpaddle-wheels,butalsosails.ItleftNewYorkonMarch29,

1819andarrivedinSavannah,GeorgiaApril8th.The ship then left theGeorgia portMay 20th--withnopassengers,aspeopleprobablyfearedthe journey--forLiverpool,whichitreachedJune30thasailingtimeof29daysand11hours.Needlesstosay,thissuccessfultripsparkedthebeginningofthetransatlantictrip,aswellastraveltoEngland’sfar-ungcoloniesbysteam.

The1890ssawtheconstructionof“OceanGrey-hounds,” which pulled the focus towards luxuryandcomfortonthehighseas,aswellasspeed.Nowsteamshipswereequippedwithstaterooms

lounge areas, ame-nities such as poolsand libraries andgyms,and costlydecor. For the topocean liner com-panies, such as Cu-nard, White StarHamburg-Amerika,and so on, compet-ed for transatlan-

tic travel (aswell assteerage passengersheadedfromEuropeforAmerica)andtheBlueRibbon--aprizeawardedtothefast-eststeamshipacross

theAtlantic.Bythe1910s,theaveragedurationoacrossingwas6-9days.

WithsomuchpassengertrafcfromNewYorktoLiverpool,SouthamptontoCapeTown,LeHavretoGenoa,MarsaillestoBombay,SingaporetoSyd-ney,TokyotoSanFrancisco,andallthewaybackagain,orderwasdenitelyneeded,andanumberofguidebookswrittenspecicallyforoceantrav-eloodedthebookmarket.Cook’sguideswereoldstandbyes,aswereBradshaw’sRoutes,butanumberofinvidualsproducedcharmingandthor-oughly-writtenbooksconcerningtravelingaboard



asteamship,andwhattodouponreachingone’sdestination.

Thebest season for traveling across theAtlantictowardsEuropewasbetweenAprilandNovember,whichwere, naturally, themonths during whichthe social seasonswere at their height. Thoughneither passports nor visas were necessary dur-

ingthisera,apassportwasrequiredfortravelinRussia (and onewas liable to be turnedaway ifJewish),anditwascustomaryforlodgersinPrus-siatosubmittheiridenticationpapersandtheirobjectforresidinginBerlin,howevertemporary.Otherwise,travelershadtoworryonlyabouttheirluggage,theirthrough-tickets,andcustomswhenarrivinginEurope.

The top steampship lines, all ofwhichwere fully

equippedwithluxuriousrstandsecondclassac-comodations. elegant restaurants anddining ar-eas,andanumberofamenitiessuchasswimmingpoolsandgymnasiums,wereCunard,WhiteStar,Hamburg-America,NorthGermanLloyd,andtheHolland-Americaline.Lesser,butequallycomfort-ablelineswereAmerican,Leyland,andRedStar.For rst class travelers sailing from New York,suitesandcabinsonthetopsteamshiplinescouldrangefrom$75-300(about$1800-7100in2010),whilethesameaccomodationsonthesecondtier

ofsteamshipscouldrunbetween$40-125(~$950-3000 in 2010). Lower fares would of course befoundduringtheoff-seasons:westboundbetweenNovember1standApril30th;eastboundbetweenOctober1standMarch31st.

Oncethesteampshipwaschosen,andtheberthspaidfor,passengerswereadvisedtovisittheirshipthedaybeforesailing,unlessonewasfamiliarwiththeline.Thismadetravelmucheasier,asonecouldinspecttherooms,andbefriendone’sstewardorstewardessbeforethecrushoffellowpassengersinordertosecureanicebathtimeandhaveyoursteamer-chair(cost:$1)placedinachoiceareaonthedeck.

Sailingdaywasnext,andthedockswerefullofwell-wishers,newspaperreporters,steamshipem-ployees,andpassengers.Itcouldbeachaotictime,butthosewhotookthetime--andmoney--toeasetheirentryaboardsailedrightaheadtotheir

rooms.Insidetheremightpossiblybetelegramswaiting,orowersandfruitbasketssentfromfriends--thoughtocombatsea-sickness,passen-gerswereadvisedtotelltheirfriendsnottosendfoodaboard.Thetrunksmarked“NotWanted”weresenttothehold,andtheunmarkedlug-gage,savetagswiththestateroomnumber,waspromptlyunpackedandputawaybythe

steward(ess).

Clothingforsteamshiptravelwassupposedtobesimpleandsturdy,tokeeponewarmandtocauseaslittlefussaspossibleincaseofaccident.Alistofessentialattireforawomanincludedonetailormadesuit,onepairofthicksilkorwoollentights,foursetsofcombinationundergarments,shirtwaists,asweater,awoollenwrapperforgo-ingtothebath,adressybodicefordinner,apair

ofshoeswithrubbersolesorheels,andthreepairsofpajamas.Amanrequiredablackcoatfordinner,withthenecessaryshirtsforeveningattire,anoldsuit,woollenunderclothing,agen-eroussupplyofhandkerchiefsandsocks,severalpairsofpajamas,abathrobeandslippers,andtherequisitetiesandcollars.

Lifeatseacouldvaryinenjoyment,dependingonone’stemperament,experienceatsea,andcon-genialpassengers,thoughamusementscouldbe

limited.Moststeamerscarriedanexcellentlibraryfromwhichbookscouldbeobtainedbyapplyingtothestewardincharge.Manyboastedofampledeckroom,whereallsortsofathleticgamesweredevised,andshufeboardandthering-tosswerepopularamusements.Cardplayingwasanotherpasttime,withbridge-whistbeingfavored--andpassengerswereadvisedtolookoutforcard-sharpsplyingtheirtrade.Theship’sconcertwasalwaysafeatureofonthelastdayofatransatlan-ticvoyage,duringwhichmoneywascollectedfordifferentinstitutions,bothAmericanandforeign,erectedforthebenetofsailors.OnGermanshipstheconcertwasreplacedbythecaptain’sdinner,duringwhichtherst-classdiningsaloonwaslavishlydecoratedandthemenutop-notch.

Thebaneofshipboardlifewassea-sickness.Therebeingnocureoftheailment(andtherestillisnot),passengerstookprecautionsbeforethedateofdeparture.Avarietyofcureswere:cotton



intheears,apinchofbicarbonateofsoda,powderedcharcoalaftereachmeal,andsniff-ingammoniaeachmorning.Drinkingplentyofhotwaterwasanothercure,aswellasadietofwell-masticatedbeeffortherstthreedaysatsea.Remediesofamorereliablebentwereexer-cise,carefuleating,anddrinkingeitherVichyorArpentawater,oramildpurgative.Mothersill’s

SeasickRemedy,apowderingelatinecapsules,wasvouchsafedbyBishopTaylor-Smith,ChaplainGeneraloftheBritishforces,LordNorthcliffe,doctors,bankers,scientists,andallmannerofin-uentialpeople,andTheShreddedWheatCom-panyadvertisedTriscuitsas“theperfectToast,the‘traveler’sdelight,’asatisfying,sustainingfoodonlandoronsea.”.

Aftersixtoninedaysatsea,dependingonthe

speedoftheship,theendofthejourneywasneigh.Perhapsnewfriendsweremade,orrela-tionshipsbrokenbytheforcedproximity,perhapsone’sdestinationwasanticipatedordreaded,oronespenttheentiretimeinmisery,laidupwithseasicknessoranotherunfortunateailment.Whateverone’sexperienceaboard,thehassleoftravelwasfarfromoveroncetheshipdocked,withcustoms,luggage,andthroughticketstotakecareworryover.Foreigncountrieshaddif-ferentcustomsprocedures,withtheEnglish

beingverylenient(spirits,tobacco,silverplate,copywrightedbooks,andmusicbeingtheonlythingsaskedfor),toverystrict(asinFrance,Rus-sia,EgyptandConstantinople).Trainticketscouldbebookedinadvance,speedinguptheprocessofcustoms,andiftravelingtotheContinent,onewasadvisedtomarktheitineraryofthetripquiteclearly(though,ThomasCookwastrustedbecauseofthecompany’sefciencyinarrangingextendedtravel).

Thepopularityofmotortourscreatedaneedforautomobileaccomodations,andarrangementsfortakingamotorcarabroad(thepacking[$30-75]andfreightincluded),wasbetween$200-300,allofwhichcouldbehandledbyAmericanEx-press.Englandrequirednodutiesforautomobilesenteringtheirports,butinFranceandGermany,thecostwas$12.OncethedutywaspaidinFrance,asealwouldbeattachedtoaconspicu-ouspartofthecar;themachinewasthensaidto

beplombé.Onleavingthecountry,thesealwasremovedbyanofcialandthedutywasrefund-ed.Thiswasexpensive,butnotasexpensiveashiringacaroverseas,whichcouldbepricedashighas$500perday!

Formany--particularlynewlywealthyAmericansbarredfromthenation’smostexclusivecircles--

thecostwasworthitifonecouldrubelbowswithroyaltyandaristocraticluminariesandthumbyournoseatthosewhosnubbedyoubackathome.Othersfoundthatitstrengthenedthebondbetweenupperclasssocieties,mirroringthefamilialtiesbetweentheroyalfamiliesofBritainandEurope.

Ultimately,thelinescouldblurbetweennation-alities,formingasocialgroupbasedonwealth

andclassratherthancountryoforigin,whichthendilutedtheimportanceofonesocialcircleoranother.Transatlanticsocietywasnowbrokenupintosetsdependentuponone’sinterestsandfriends.SoindependentdidthismakeSociety,theeverimportantLondonseasonwasindangeroflosingitsplaceintheannualsocialround!!

Nevertheless,themeetingofandsocializingwithothersofalikemindandbackgroundsolidiedthesignicanceofthewell-bornandwell-placed.

Moreover,thisconstantmovingaboutsparkedtheriseofphotojournalismandsocietycolumns,whichfedtheneedofthelessfortunatepublictofeastontheadventures,exploits,andactivitiesoftheir“socialbetters”priortotheadventofHol-lywoodcinemastars(therstofwhichwasFlor-enceLawrence,theBiographGirl).Atwhatprice,weallknownow,butatthetime,inthewordsofMrs.HwfaWilliams,“ItWasSuchFun!”



Leaves From My Research Library

WhenIrstbegantoresearchtheEdwardianera,myrstinterest--otherthantheclothingandper-sonalities--wastheautomobile.Ididn’tknowmuchabouttheearlydaysofmotoring,muchlessthat

we’vebeendrivingcarsforalittleoveronehun-dredyears,andwhenIdiscoveredthisbook,Ifoundittobeoneofthebestresourcesavailableonboththetechnologyofearlymotoringandthesocialaspectsofthemo-torcar.AndanaddedbonusisthatBEHINDTHEWHEELisco-authoredbythe3rdLordMontaguofBeaulieu,whosefather,the2ndBaron,wasanearlypioneerofBritishmotoringandhadclosetieswithHenryRoyceandCharlesRolls.

Inthisbookyouwillndplentyofphotographs,stellarinformation,andagreatnumberofpersonalancedotes,asprovidedbyLordMontagu.Sincethemotorcarwasessentialtothewell-to-doEdwardian,BEHINDTHEWHEELisessentialtoallfansoftheperiod.

Andmyreadersareinluck,fortherearemanycop-iesavailableatAmazon.com,startingatonecent.

CONTENTS

enGlIsh-amerIcan Glossary

Knobs anD levers:LayoutofcontrolforhandsandfeetGoInG for a DrIve:StartingacarintheearlydaystenDer lovInG care:CaringfortheautomobilebehInD the wheel:LearningtoDriveeccentrIc Dress:WhattheearlymotoristworetokeepcleanandwarmbIts anD PIeces:Equipmentoftheearlymotorcarat home anD abroaD:Thepleasuresoftouringbycarthe roaD unfolDs:Historyofthedevelopmentofroads

http://www.amazon.com/Behind-wheel-magic-manners-motoring/dp/0448226766/edwardiannovelist-20

http://www.amazon.com/Behind-wheel-magic-manners-motoring/dp/0448226766/edwardiannovelist-20



Somewhere in France:A Short Story by Richard Harding Davis

Davis(1864-1916)wasajournalistandnovelist,knownbestforbeingtherstwarcor-respondenttocovertheSpanish-AmericanWar(1898),theBoerWar(1899-1902),andWWI(1914-1918),andasthemodelforCharlesDanaGibson’s“GibsonMan.”Fullofderring-doanddashingadventure,hehelpedmoldthelegendsurroundingtheRoughRiders,andcementedthe“American”idealofmasculinityfortheGildedAge.

MarieGessler,knownasMarieChaumontel,Jeanned’Avrechy,theCountessd’Aurillac,wasGerman.

Herfather,whoservedthroughtheFranco-PrussianWar,wasaGermanspy.ItwasfromhermothershelearnedtospeakFrenchsufcientlywelltosatisfyevenanAcademicianand,amongParisians,topassasone.Bothherparentsweredead.Beforetheydeparted,knowingtheycouldleavetheirdaughternothingsavetheirdebts,theyhadhadhertrainedasanurse.Butwhentheyweregone,MarieintheBerlinhospitalsplayedpolitics,intrigued,indiscriminatelymisusedtheappealing,violeteyes.Therewasascandal;severalscandals.Attheageoftwenty-veshewasdismissedfromtheMu-nicipalHospital,andasnow—saveforthevioleteyes—shewaswithoutresources,asacompagnondevoyagewithaGermandoctorshetravelledtoMonteCarlo.TheresheabandonedthedoctorforHenrRavignac,acaptainintheFrenchAviationCorps,who,whenhisleaveended,escortedhertoParis.

ThedutiesofCaptainRavignackepthiminbarracksneartheaviationeld,butMarieheestablishedinhisapartmentsontheBoulevardHaussmann.Onedayhebroughtfromthebarracksarollofblue-prints,andashewaslockingtheminadrawer,said:“TheGermanswouldpaythroughthenoseforthose!”Theremarkwasindiscreet,butthenMariehadtoldhimshewasFrench,andanyonewouldhavebelievedher.

ThenextmorningthesamespiritofadventurethathadexiledherfromtheBerlinhospitalscarriedhewiththeblue-printstotheGermanembassy.There,greatlyshocked,theyrstwrotedownhernameandaddress,andthen,indignantatherproposition,orderedherout.ButthedayfollowingastrangeyoungGermanwhowasnotatallindignant,but,onthecontrary,quitecharming,calleduponMarie.Fortheblue-printsheofferedheraverylargesum,andthatsamehourwiththemandMariedepart-

edforBerlin.Mariedidnotneedthemoney.Nordidtheargumentthatshewasservinghercountrygreatlyimpressher.Itwasratherthatshelovedintrigue.Andsoshebecameaspy.

HenriRavignac,themanshehadrobbedoftheblue-prints,wastriedbycourtmartial.Thechargewastreason,butCharlesRavignac,hisyoungerbrother,promisedtoprovethattheguiltyonewasthegirl,andtothatendobtainedleaveofabsenceandspentmuchtimeandmoney.AtthetrialhewasabletoshowtherecordofMarieinBerlinandMonteCarlo;thatshewasthedaughterofaGermansecretagent;thatontheafternoontheprintsdisappearedMarie,withanagentoftheGermanembassy,hadleftParisforBerlin.Inconsequenceofthisthechargeofsellingmilitarysecretswasalteredtooneof“grossneglect,”andHenriRavignacwassentencedtotwoyearsinthemilitaryprisonatTours.Buthe



wasofanancientandnoblefamily,andwhentheycametotakehimfromhiscellintheCherche-Midhewasdead.Charles,hisbrother,disappeared.Itwassaidhealsohadkilledhimself;thathehadbeenappointedamilitaryattachéinSouthAmerica;thattorevengehisbrotherhehadenteredthesecretservice;butwhateverbecameofhimnooneknew.Allthatwascertainwasthat,thankstotheactofMarieGessler,ontherollsoftheFrencharmytheancientandnoblenameofRavignacnolongerap-peared.

InherchosenprofessionMarieGesslerfoundnothingdiscreditable.Ofherselfheropinionwasnot

high,andheropinionofmenwaslower.Forhersmilesshehadwatchedseveralsacricehonor,duty,loyalty;andsheheldthemandtheirkindincontempt.Tolie,tocajole,torobmenofsecretstheythoughtimportant,andofsecretstheimportanceofwhichtheydidnotevenguess,wastohermerelyanintricateandexcitinggame.

Sheplayeditverywell.Sowellthatintheserviceheradvancewasrapid.OnimportantmissionsshewassenttoRussia,throughtheBalkans;eventotheUnitedStates.There,withcredentialsasanarmynurse,sheinspectedourmilitaryhospitalsandunobtrusivelyaskedmanyinnocentquestions.

WhenshebeggedtobeallowedtoworkinherbelovedParis,“they”toldherwhenwarcame“they”

intendedtoplantherinsidethatcity,andthat,untilthen,thelessParisknewofherthebetter.

Butjustbeforethegreatwarbroke,toreportonwhichwayItalymightjump,shewassenttoRome,anditwasnotuntilSeptembershewasrecalled.ThetelegraminformedherthatherAuntElizabethwasill,andthatatonceshemustreturntoBerlin.This,shelearnedfromthecodebookwrappedunderthecoverofherthermosbottle,meantthatshewastoreporttothegeneralcommandingtheGermanforcesatSoissons.

FromItalyshepassedthroughSwitzerland,and,afterleavingBasle,onmilitarytrainswasrushednorthtoLuxemburg,andthenwesttoLaon.Shewasaccompaniedbyhercompanion,Bertha,anelderlyandrespectable,evendistinguished-lookingfemale.Inthesecretservicehernumberwas528.

TheirpassesfromthewarofcedescribedthemasnursesoftheGermanRedCross.OnlytheIntelli-genceDepartmentknewtheirrealmission.Withheralso,asherchauffeur,wasayoungItaliansoldieroffortune,PaulAnfossi.HehadservedintheBelgianCongo,intheFrenchForeignLegioninAlgiers,andspokealltheEuropeanlanguages.InRome,whereasawirelessoperatorhewasservingacom-mercialcompany,insellingMariecopiesofmessageshehadmemorized,Mariehadfoundhimuse-ful,andwhenwarcamesheobtainedforhim,fromtheWilhelmstrasse,thenumber292.FromLaon,inoneoftheautomobilesoftheGeneralStaff,thethreespiesweredrivenrsttoSoissons,andthenalongtheroadtoMeauxandParis,tothevillageofNeufchelles.Theyarrivedatmidnight,andinachâteauofoneofthechampagneprinces,foundthecolonelcommandingtheIntelligenceBureau.Heacceptedtheircredentials,destroyedthem,andreplacedthemwithalaisser-passersignedbythemayorofLaon.Thatdignitary,thecolonelexplained,tocitizensofLaoneeingtoParisandthecoasthadissuedmanypasses.ButasnowbetweenLaonandParistherewerethreeGermanarmies,therefugeeshadbeenturnedbackandtheirpassesconscated.

“Fromamongthem,”saidtheofcer,“wehaveselectedoneforyou.ItisissuedtothewifeofCountd’Aurillac,acaptainofreserves,andheraunt,MadameBenet.Itasksforthoseladiesandtheirchauf-feur,Briand,asafe-conductthroughtheFrenchmilitarylines.IfitgetsyouintoParisyouwilldestroyitandassumeanothername.TheCountd’Aurillacisnowwithhisregimentinthatcity.Ifhelearnedofthepresencethereofhiswife,hewouldseekher,andthatwouldnotbegoodforyou.So,ifyoureachParis,youwillbecomeaBelgianrefugee.Youarehighbornandrich.Yourchâteauhasbeendestroyed.Butyouhavemoney.YouwillgiveliberallytotheRedCross.Youwillvolunteertonurseinthe



hospitals.Withyoursadstoryofilltreatmentbyus,withyourhighbirth,andyourknowledgeofnursing,whichyouacquired,ofcourse,onlyasanamateur,youshouldnotnditdifculttojointheLadiesofFrance,ortheAmericanAmbulance.WhatyoulearnfromthewoundedEnglishandFrenchofcersandtheFrenchdoctorsyouwillsendusthroughtheusualchannels.”

“WhendoIstart?”askedthewoman.

“Forafewdays,”explainedtheofcer,“youremaininthischâteau.Youwillkeepusinformedofwhat

isgoingforwardafterwewithdraw.”

“Withdraw?”Itwasmoreofanexclamationthanaquestion.Mariewastoowelltrainedtoaskques-tions.

“Wearetakingupanewposition,”saidtheofcer,“ontheAisne.”

Thewoman,incredulous,stared.

“AndwedonotenterParis?”

“Youdo,”returnedtheofcer.“Thatisallthatconcernsyou.Wewilljoinyoulater—inthespring.Meanwhile,forthewinterweintrenchourselvesalongtheAisne.Inachimneyofthischâteauwehavesetupawirelessoutt.Weareleavingitintact.ThechauffeurBriand—who,youmustexplaintotheFrench,youbroughtwithyoufromLaon,andwhohasbeenlonginyourservice—willtransmitwhat-everyoudiscover.Wewishespeciallytoknowofanymovementtowardourleft.IftheyattackinfrontfromSoissons,weareprepared;butofanyattempttocrosstheOiseandtakeusinank,youmustwarnus.”

Theofcerroseandhunguponhimselfhiseld-glasses,map-cases,andside-arms.

“Weleaveyounow,”hesaid.“WhentheFrencharriveyouwilltellthemyourreasonforhaltingatthischâteauwasthattheowner,MonsieurIverney,andhisfamilyarefriendsofyourhusband.Youfoundushere,andwedetainedyou.Andsolongasyoucanusethewireless,makeexcusestoremain.IftheyoffertosendyouontoParis,tellthemyourauntistooilltotravel.”

“Buttheywillndthewireless,”saidthewoman.“Theyaresuretousethetowersforobservation,andtheywillndit.”

“Inthatcase,”saidtheofcer,“youwillsuggesttothemthatweedinsuchhastewehadnotimetodismantleit.Ofcourse,youhadnoknowledgethatitexisted,or,asaloyalFrenchwoman,youwouldhaveatoncetoldthem.”Toemphasizehisnextwordstheofcerpointedather:“Undernocircum-stances,”hecontinued,“mustyoubesuspected.IftheyshouldtakeBriandintheact,shouldtheyhaveeventheleastdoubtconcerninghim,youmustrepudiatehimentirely.Ifnecessary,tokeepyourownskirtsclear,itwouldbeyourdutyyourselftodenouncehimasaspy.”

“Yourrstorders,”saidthewoman,“weretotellthemBriandhadbeenlonginmyservice;thatIbroughthimfrommyhomeinLaon.”

“Hemightbeinyourserviceforyears,”returnedthecolonel,“andyounotknowhewasaGermanagent.”



“IftosavemyselfIinformuponhim,”saidMarie,“ofcourseyouknowyouwilllosehim.”

Theofcershruggedhisshoulders.“Awirelessoperator,”heretorted,“wecanreplace.Butforyou,andfortheserviceyouaretorenderinParis,wehavenosubstitute.Youmustnotbefoundout.Youareinvaluable.”

Thespyinclinedherhead.“Ithankyou,”shesaid.

Theofcersputteredindignantly.

“Itisnotacompliment,”heexclaimed;“itisanorder.Youmustnotbefoundout!”

WithdrawnsometwohundredyardsfromtheParisroad,thechâteaustooduponawoodedhill.Exceptdirectlyinfront,treesofgreatheightsurroundedit.Thetipsoftheirbranchesbrushedthewindows;interlacing,theycontinueduntiltheyoverhungthewalloftheestate.Whereitranwiththeroadthewallgavewaytoaloftygateandironfence,throughwhichthosepassingcouldseeastretchofnobleturf,aswideasapolo-eld,bordersofowersdisappearingundertheshadowsofthetrees;andthechâteauitself,withitsterrace,itsmanywindows,itshigh-pitched,slopingroof,brokenby

towersandturrets.

Throughtheremainderofthenighttherecamefromtheroadtothoseinthechâteautheroarandrumblingofthearmyinretreat.Itmovedwithoutpanic,disorder,orhaste,butunceasingly.Notforaninstantwasthereabreathing-spell.Andwhenthesunrose,thethreespies—thetwowomenandthechauffeur—whointhegreatchâteauwerenowalone,couldseeaswellashearthegraycolumnofsteelrollingpastbelowthem.

ThespiesknewthatthegraycolumnhadreachedClaye,hadstoodwithinfteenmilesofParis,andthenuponParishadturneditsback.TheyknewalsothatthereverberationsfromthedirectionofMeaux,thateachmomentgrewmoreloudandsavage,weretheFrench“seventy-ves”whippingthe

graycolumnforward.OfwhattheyfelttheGermansdidnotspeak.Insilencetheylookedateachother,andintheeyesofMariewasbitternessandresolve.

TowardnoonMariemetAnfossiinthegreatdrawing-roomthatstretchedthelengthoftheterraceandfromthewindowsofwhich,throughtheparkgates,theycouldseetheParisroad.

“This,thatispassingnow,”saidMarie,“isthelastofourrear-guard.Gotoyourtower,”sheordered,“andsendwordthatexceptforstragglersandthewoundedourcolumnhasjustpassedthroughNeufchelles,andthatanymomentweexpecttheFrench.”Sheraisedherhandimpressively.“Fromnow,”shewarned,“wespeakFrench,wethinkFrench,weareFrench!”

Anfossi,orBriand,asnowhecalledhimself,addressedherinthatlanguage.Histonewasbitter.“Par-donmylese-majesty,”hesaid,“butthischiefofyourIntelligenceDepartmentisadummerMensch.Heisthrowingawayavaluablelife.”

Marieexclaimedindismay.Sheplacedherhanduponhisarm,andthevioleteyeslledwithconcern.

“Notyours!”sheprotested.

“Absolutely!”returnedtheItalian.“Icansendnothingbythisknapsackwirelessthattheywillnotlearnfromothers;fromairmen,Uhlans,thepeasantsintheelds.AndcertainlyIwillbecaught.DeadIam



amdead,butaliveandinParistheopportunitiesareunending.FromtheFrenchLegionEtrangerIhavemyhonorabledischarge.IamanexpertwirelessoperatorandintheirSignalCorpsIcaneasilyndaplace.Imagineme,then,ontheEiffelTower.FromtheairIsnatchnewsfromallofFrance,fromtheChannel,theNorthSea.YouandIcouldworktogether,asinRome.Buthere,betweenthelines,withapassfromavillagesouspréfet,itisridiculous.Iamnotafraidtodie.Buttodiebecausesomeoneelseisstupid,thatishard.”

Marieclaspedhishandinbothofhers.

“Youmustnotspeakofdeath,”shecried;“youknowImustcarryoutmyorders,thatImustforceyoutotakethisrisk.Andyouknowthatthoughtofharmtoyoutorturesme!”

Quicklytheyoungmandisengagedhishand.Thewomanexclaimedwithanger.

“Whydoyoudoubtme?”shecried.

Briandprotestedvehemently.

“Idonotdoubtyou.”

“Myaffection,then?”InawhisperthatcarriedwithitthefeelingofacaressMarieaddedsoftly:“Mylove?”

Theyoungmanprotestedmiserably.“Youmakeitveryhard,mademoiselle,”hecried.“Youaremysuperiorofcer,Iamyourservant.WhoamIthatIshouldsharewithothers—”

Thewomaninterruptedeagerly.

“Ah,youarejealous!”shecried.“Isthatwhyyouaresocruel?ButwhenItellyouIloveyou,andonly

you,canyounotfeelitisthetruth?”

Theyoungmanfrownedunhappily.

“Myduty,mademoiselle!”hestammered.

WithanexclamationofangerMarielefthim.Asthedoorslammedbehindher,theyoungmandrewadeepbreath.Onhisfacewastheexpressionofineffablerelief.

InthehallMariemetherelderlycompanion,Bertha,nowheraunt,MadameBenet.

“Iheardyouquarrelling,”Berthaprotested.“Itismostindiscreet.ItisnotinthepartoftheCountessd’Aurillacthatshemakeslovetoherchauffeur.”

Marielaughednoiselesslyanddrewherfartherdownthehall.“Heisimbecile!”sheexclaimed.“Hewillkillmewithhissolemnfaceandhisconceit.Imakelovetohim—yes—thathemayworkthemorewillingly.Buthewillhavenoneofit.Heisjealousoftheothers.”

MadameBenetfrowned.

“Heresentstheothers,”shecorrected.“Idonotblamehim.Heisagentleman!”



“Andtheothers,”demandedMarie;“weretheynotofthemostnoblefamiliesofRome?”

“IamoldandIamugly,”saidBertha,“buttomeAnfossiisalwaysasconsiderateasheistoyouwhoaresobeautiful.”

“AnItaliangentleman,”returnedMarie,“doesnotserveinBelgianCongounlessitisthechoiceofthatorthemarblequarries.”

“Idonotknowwhathispastmaybe,”sighedMadameBenet,“nordoIask.Heisonlyanumber,asyouandIareonlynumbers.AndIbegyoutoletusworkinharmony.Atsuchatimeyourlove-affairsthreatenoursafety.Youmustwait.”

Marielaughedinsolently.“WiththeDuBarry,”sheprotested,“IcanboastthatIwaitfornoman.”

“No,”repliedtheolderwoman;“youpursuehim!”

Mariewouldhaveansweredsharply,butontheinstantherinterestwasdiverted.Foroneweek,bydayandnight,shehadlivedinaworldpeopledonlybyGermansoldiers.Besideherintherailroad

carriage,onthestationplatforms,atthewindowsofthetrainsthatpassedtheoneinwhichsherode,atthegradecrossings,onthebridges,intheroadsthatparalleledthetracks,chokingthestreetsofthevillagesandspreadovertheeldsofgrain,shehadseenonlythegray-greenuniforms.Evenherprofessionaleyenolongerdistinguishedregimentfromregiment,dragoonfromgrenadier,UhlanfromHussarorLandsturm.Stripes,insignia,numerals,badgesofrank,hadlosttheirmeaning.Thosewhoworethemnolongerwereindividuals.Theywerenotevenhuman.Duringthethreelastdaystheautomobile,likeamotor-boatghtingthetide,hadcreptthroughagray-greenriverofmen,stained,asthoughfromthebanks,bymudandyellowclay.Andforhours,whilethecarwasblocked,andinfurytheengineracedandpurred,thegray-greenriverhadrolledpasther,slowlybutasinevitablyaslavadowntheslopeofavolcano,bearingonitssurfacefaceswithstaringeyes,thousandsandthou-sandsofeyes,someerceandbloodshot,otherslledwithweariness,homesickness,pain.Atnight

shestillsawthem:thewhitefacesunderthesweatanddust,theeyesdumb,inarticulate,askingtheanswer.ShehadbeensuffocatedbyGermansoldiers,bythemassofthem,engulfedandsmothered;shehadstiedinalandinhabitedonlybygray-greenghosts.

Andsuddenly,asthoughamiraclehadbeenwrought,shesawuponthelawn,ridingtowardher,amaninscarlet,blue,andsilver.Onemanridingalone.

Approachingwithcondence,butalert;hisreinsfallen,hishandsnursinghiscarbine,hiseyessearchedtheshadowsofthetrees,theemptywindows,eventhesun-sweptsky.Hiswasthenewfaceatthedoor,thenewstepontheoor.Andthespyknewhadshebeheldanarmycorpsitwouldhavebeennomoresignicant,nomoremenacing,thanthesolitarychasseuràchevalscoutinginadvanceoftheenemy.

“Wearesaved!”exclaimedMarie,withirony.“Goquickly,”shecommanded,“tothebedroomonthesecondoorthatopensuponthestaircase,sothatyoucanseeallwhopass.Youaretooilltotravel.Theymustndyouinbed.”

“Andyou?”saidBertha.

“I,”criedMarierapturously,“hastentowelcomeourpreserver!”



Thepreserverwasapeasantlad.Underthewhitedusthischeekswereburnedabrown-red,hiseyes,honestandblue,throughmuchstaringattheskiesandathorizonlines,werepuckeredandencircledwithtinywrinkles.Responsibilityhadmadehimolderthanhisyears,andinspeechbrief.Withthebeautifulladywhowithtearsofjoyrantogreethim,andwhoinanecstasyofhappinesspressedhercheekagainstthenoseofhishorse,hewasunimpressed.Hereturnedtoherherpapersandgravelyechoedheranswerstohisquestions.“Thischâteau,”herepeated,“wasoccupiedbytheirGeneralStaff;theyhaveleftnowoundedhere;yousawthelastofthempassahalf-hoursince.”Hegathereduphisreins.

Marieshriekedinalarm.“Youwillnotleaveus?”shecried.

Forthersttimetheyoungmanpermittedhimselftosmile.“Othersarrivesoon,”hesaid.

Hetouchedhisshako,wheeledhishorseinthedirectionfromwhichhehadcome,andaminutelaterMarieheardthehoofsechoingthroughtheemptyvillage.

Whentheycame,theothersweremoresympathetic.Evenintimesofwarabeautifulwomanisstillabeautifulwoman.Andthestaffofcerswhomovedintothequarterssolatelyoccupiedbytheen-

emyfoundinthepresenceoftheCountessd’Aurillacnothingtodistressthem.Intheabsenceofherdearfriend,MadameIverney,thechâtelaineofthechâteau,sheactedastheirhostess.Herchauffeurshowedthecompanycooksthewaytothekitchen,thelarder,andthecharcoal-box.She,herself,inthehandsofGeneralAndreplacedthekeysofthefamouswine-cellar,andtothesurgeon,thatthewoundedmightbefreshlybandaged,intrustedthoseofthelinen-closet.Aftertheindignitiesshehadsufferedwhile“detained”bylesBoches,herdelightandreliefatagainndingherselfunderthepro-tectionofherownpeoplewouldhavetouchedaheartofstone.Andtheheartsofthestaffwerenotofstone.Itwaswithregrettheygavethecountesspermissiontocontinueonherway.Atthissheex-claimedwithgratitude.Sheassuredthem,wereherauntabletotravel,shewouldimmediatelydepart

“InParisshewillbemorecomfortablethanhere,”saidthekindsurgeon.Hewasareservist,andin

timesofpeaceafashionablephysicianandasmuchathiseaseinaboudoirasinaeldhospital.“Per-hapsifIsawMadameBenet?”

Atthesuggestionthecountesswasoverjoyed.ButtheyfoundMadameBenetinastateofcompletecollapse.TheconductoftheGermanshadbroughtaboutanervousbreakdown.

“ThoughthebridgesaredestroyedatMeaux,”urgedthesurgeon,“evenwithadetour,youcanbeinParisinfourhours.Ithinkitisworththeeffort.”

ButthemerethoughtofthejourneythrewMadameBenetintohysterics.Sheaskedonlytorest,shebeggedforanopiatetomakehersleep.Shebeggedalsothattheywouldleavethedooropen,sothatwhenshedreamedshewasstillinthehandsoftheGermans,andwokeinterror,thesoundofthedearFrenchvoicesandthesightofthebelovedFrenchuniformsmightreassureher.Sheplayedherpartwell.ConcerningherMariefeltnottheleastanxiety.ButtowardBriand,thechauffeur,thenewar-rivalswerelesseasilysatised.

Thegeneralsenthisadjutantforthecountess.WhentheadjutanthadclosedthedoorGeneralAndrebeganabruptly:

“ThechauffeurBriand,”heasked,“youknowhim;youcanvouchforhim?”



“But,certainly!”protestedMarie.“HeisanItalian.”

Asthoughwithsuddenenlightenment,Marielaughed.Itwasasifnowinthesuspicionoftheofcershesawacertainreasonableness.“BriandwassolongintheForeignLegioninAlgiers,”sheexplained,“wheremyhusbandfoundhim,thatwehavecometothinkofhimasFrench.AsmuchFrenchasour-selves,Iassureyou.”

Thegeneralandhisadjutantwereregardingeachotherquestioningly.

“PerhapsIshouldtellthecountess,”beganthegeneral,“thatwehavelearned—”

Thesignalfromtheadjutantwassoslight,soswift,thatMariebarelyinterceptedit.

Thelipsofthegeneralshuttogetherliketheleavesofabook.Toshowtheinterviewwasatanend,hereachedforapen.

“Ithankyou,”hesaid.

“Ofcourse,”promptedtheadjutant,“Madamed’Aurillacunderstandsthemanmustnotknowwein-quiredconcerninghim.”

GeneralAndrefrownedatMarie.

“Certainlynot!”hecommanded.“Thehonestfellowmustnotknowthatevenforamomenthewasdoubted.”

Marieraisedthevioleteyesreprovingly.

“Itrust,”shesaidwithreproach,“ItoowellunderstandthefeelingsofaFrenchsoldiertolethimknow

hisloyaltyisquestioned.”

WithamurmurofappreciationtheofcersbowedandwithagestureofgraciouspardonMarieleftthem.

Outsideinthehall,withnonebutorderliestoobserve,likeacloakthegraciousnessfellfromher.Shewasdrawntwoways.InherworkAnfossiwasvaluable.ButAnfossisuspectedwaslessthanofnovalue;hebecameamenace,adeath-warrant.

GeneralAndrehadsaid,“Wehavelearned—”andtheadjutanthadhaltedhim.Whathadhelearned?Toknowthat,Mariewouldhavegivenmuch.Still,oneimportantfactcomfortedher.Anfossialonewassuspected.Hadtherebeenconcerningherselftheslightestdoubt,theycertainlywouldnothaveallowedhertoguesshercompanionwasundersurveillance;theywouldnothaveaskedonewhowasherselfsuspectedtovouchfortheinnocenceofafellowconspirator.Mariefoundthecoursetofollowdifcult.WithAnfossiundersuspicionhisusefulnesswasforthemomentatanend;andtoacceptthechanceofferedhertocontinueontoParisseemedmostwise.Ontheotherhand,if,concerningAn-fossi,shehadsucceededinallayingtheirdoubts,theresultsmosttobedesiredcouldbeattainedonlybyremainingwheretheywere.

Theirpositioninsidethelineswasofthegreateststrategicvalue.Theroomsoftheservantswereun-dertheroof,andthatBriandshouldsleepinoneofthemwasnatural.Thattoreachorleavehis



roomheshouldconstantlybeascendingordescendingthestairsalsowasnatural.Theeld-wirelessoutt,or,ashehaddisdainfullydescribedit,the“knapsack”wireless,wassituatednotinthebedroomhehadselectedforhimself,butinoneadjoining.AtothertimesthiswasoccupiedbythemaidofMadameIverney.TosummonhermaidMadameIverney,fromherapartmentonthesecondoor,hadbuttopressabutton.AnditwasintheapartmentofMadameIverney,andonthebedofthatlady,thatMadameBenetnowreclined.Whenthroughtheopendoorshesawanofcerorsoldiermountthestairs,shepressedthebuttonthatrangabellintheroomofthemaid.Inthisway,longbeforewhoeverwasascendingthestairscouldreachthetopoor,warningofhisapproachcametoAnfossi.

Itgavehimtimetoreplacethedust-boardoverthereplaceinwhichthewirelesswasconcealedandtoescapeintohisownbedroom.Thearrangementwasideal.AndalreadyinformationpickedupinthehallsbelowbyMariehadbeenconveyedtoAnfossitorelayinaFrenchciphertotheGermanGeneralStaffatRheims.

Mariemadeanalertandcharminghostess.Toallwhosawheritwasevidentthathermindwasintentonlyuponthecomfortofherguests.Throughoutthedaymanycameandwent,buteachshemadewelcome;toeachashedepartedshecalled“bonnechance.”Efcient,tireless,tactful,shewasevery-where:inthedining-room,inthekitchen,inthebedrooms,forthewoundedndingmattressestospreadinthegorgeoussalonsofthechampagneprince;forthesoldier-chauffeurscarryingwineinto

thecourtyard,wheretheautomobilespantedandgrowled,andthearrivinganddepartingshriekedforrightofway.Atalltimesanalluringperson,nowtheonewomaninatumultofmen,hersmartfrockcoveredbyanapron,herheadandarmsbare,undismayedbythesightofthewoundedorbythedistantrumbleoftheguns,theCountessd’Aurillacwasaninspiringandbeautifulpicture.Theeyesoftheofcers,youngandold,informedherofthatfact,oneofwhichalreadyshewaswellaware.Bythemorningofthenextdayshewasacceptedastheownerofthechâteau.Andthoughcontinuallysheremindedthestaffshewaspresentonlyasthefriendofherschoolmate,MadameIverney,theydeferredtoherastoahostess.Manyofthemshealreadysalutedbyname,andtothosewhowithmessageswereconstantlymotoringtoandfromthefrontatSoissonsshewasparticularlykind.Over-nightthelegendofhercharm,ofherdevotiontothesoldiersofallranks,hadspreadfromSoissonstoMeaux,andfromMeauxtoParis.Itwasnoonofthatdaywhenfromthewindowofthesecond

storyMariesawanarmoredautomobilesweepintothecourtyard.Itwasdrivenbyanofcer,youngandappallinglygood-looking,and,aswasobviousbythewayhespunhiscar,onewhoheldincon-temptboththelawofgravityanddeath.Thathewassomeoneofimportanceseemedevident.Beforehecouldalighttheadjutanthadracedtomeethim.WithhereyefordetailMarieobservedthattheyoungofcer,insteadofimpartinginformation,receivedit.Hemust,sheguessed,havejustarrivedfromParis,andhisbrotherofcereitherwastellinghimthenewsorgivinghimhisorders.Whicheveritmightbe,inwhatwastoldhimthenewarrivalwasgreatlyinterested.Oneinstantinindignationhisgauntletedstbeatuponthesteering-wheel,thenexthesmiledwithpleasure.Tointerpretthispan-tomimewasdifcult;and,thebettertoinformherself,Mariedescendedthestairs.

Asshereachedthelowerhallthetwoofcersentered.Tothespythemanlasttoarrivewasalwaystheoneofgreatestimportance;andMarieassuredherselfthatthroughherfriend,theadjutant,tomeetwiththisonewouldproveeasy.

Butthechauffeurcommanderofthearmoredcarmadeitmostdifcult.AtsightofMarie,muchtoheralarm,asthoughgreetingadearfriend,hesnatchedhiskepifromhisheadandsprangtowardher.

“Themajor,”hecried,“toldmeyouwerehere,thatyouareMadamed’Aurillac.”Hiseyesspokehisad-miration.Indelighthebeameduponher.“Imighthaveknownit!”hemurmured.Withthecondenceofonewhoissurehebringsgoodnews,helaughedhappily.“AndI,”hecried,“am‘Pierrot’!



Whothedevil“Pierrot”mightbethespycouldnotguess.SheknewonlythatshewishedbyaGermanshell“Pierrot”andhiscarhadbeenblowntotinyfragments.Wasitatrap,sheaskedherself,orwasthehandsomeyouthreallysomeonetheCountessd’Aurillacshouldknow.But,asfromhisintroduc-inghimselfitwasevidenthecouldnotknowthatladyverywell,Marietookcourageandsmiled.

“Which‘Pierrot’?”sheparried.

“PierreThierry!”criedtheyouth.

TothereliefofMarieheturnedupontheadjutantandtohimexplainedwhoPierreThierrymightbe.

“Pauld’Aurillac,”hesaid,“ismydearestfriend.WhenhemarriedthischarmingladyIwasstationedinAlgiers,andbutforthewarImightneverhavemether.”

ToMarie,withhishandonhisheartinamostcharmingmanner,hebowed.Hisadmirationhemadenoefforttoconceal.

“Andso,”hesaid,“Iknowwhythereiswar!”

Theadjutantsmiledindulgently,anddepartedonhisduties,leavingthemalone.ThehandsomeeyesofCaptainThierrywereraisedtothevioleteyesofMarie.Theyappraisedherboldlyandasboldlyexpressedtheirapproval.

Inburlesquetheyoungmanexclaimedindignantly:“Pauldeceivedme!”hecried.“HetoldmehehadmarriedthemostbeautifulwomaninLaon.HehasmarriedthemostbeautifulwomaninFrance!”

ToMariethiswasnotimpertinence,butgallantry.

Thiswasalanguagesheunderstood,andthiswasthetypeofman,becausehewastheleastdifcult

tomanage,sheheldmostincontempt.

“Butaboutyou,Pauldidnotdeceiveme,”sheretorted.Inapparentconfusionhereyesrefusedtomeethis.“Hetoldme‘Pierrot’wasamostdangerousman!”

Shecontinuedhurriedly.WithwifelysolicitudesheaskedconcerningPaul.Sheexplainedthatforaweekshehadbeenaprisonerinthechâteau,and,sincethemobilization,ofherhusbandsavethathewaswithhisregimentinParisshehadheardnothing.CaptainThierrywasabletogiveherlaternews.Onlythedayprevious,ontheboulevards,hehadmetCountd’Aurillac.HewasattheGrandHôtel,andasThierrywasatoncemotoringbacktoParishewouldgivePaulnewsoftheirmeeting.HehopedhemighttellhimthatsoonhiswifealsowouldbeinParis.Marieexplainedthatonlytheillnessofherauntpreventedherfromthatsamedayjoiningherhusband.Hermannerbecameserious.

“Andwhatothernewshaveyou?”sheasked.“Hereonthering-lineweknowlessofwhatisgoingforwardthanyouinParis.”

SoPierreThierrytoldherallheknew.TheywerepreparingdespatcheshewasatoncetocarrybacktotheGeneralStaff,and,forthemoment,histimewashisown.HowcouldhebetteremployitthanintalkingofthewarwithapatrioticandcharmingFrenchwoman?

InconsequenceMarieacquiredamassoffacts,gossip,andguesses.Fromtheseshementallyselected



selectedsuchinformationas,toheremployersacrosstheAisne,wouldbeofvitalinterest.

AndtoridherselfofThierryandonthefourthoorseekAnfossiwasnowheronlywish.But,inat-temptingthis,bythereturnoftheadjutantshewasdelayed.ToThierrytheadjutantgaveasealedenvelope.

“Thirty-one,BoulevarddesInvalides,”hesaid.WithasmileheturnedtoMarie.“Andyouwillaccom-panyhim!”

“I!”exclaimedMarie.Shewassickwithsuddenterror.

Butthetolerantsmileoftheadjutantreassuredher.

“Thecount,yourhusband,”heexplained,“haslearnedofyourdetentionherebytheenemy,andhehasbesiegedtheGeneralStafftohaveyouconvoyedsafelytoParis.”Theadjutantglancedataeldtelegramheheldopeninhishand.“Heasks,”hecontinued,“thatyoubepermittedtoreturninthecaofhisfriend,CaptainThierry,andthatonarrivingyoujoinhimattheGrandHôtel.”

Thierryexclaimedwithdelight.

“Buthowcharming!”hecried.“To-nightyoumustbothdinewithmeatLaRue’s.”Hesalutedhissu-periorofcer.“Somepetrol,sir,”hesaid.“AndIamready.”ToMarieheadded:“Thecarwillbeatthestepsinveminutes.”Heturnedandleftthem.

ThethoughtsofMarie,snatchingatanexcusefordelay,racedmadly.ThedangerofmeetingtheCountd’Aurillac,hersupposedhusband,didnotalarmher.TheGrandHôtelhasmanyexits,and,evenbeforetheyreachedit,forleavingthecarshecouldinventanexcusethatthegallantThierrywouldnotsuspect.Butwhatnowconcernedherwashow,beforeshewaswhiskedawaytoParis,shecouldconveytoAnfossitheinformationshehadgatheredfromThierry.First,ofawomanovercomewith

delightatbeingreunitedwithherhusbandshegaveanexcellentimitation;thensheexclaimedindis-tress:“Butmyaunt,MadameBenet!”shecried.“Icannotleaveher!”

“TheSistersofSt.Francis,”saidtheadjutant,“arrivewithinanhourtonursethewounded.Theywillcarealsoforyouraunt.”

Marieconcealedherchagrin.“ThenIwillatoncepreparetogo,”shesaid.

Theadjutanthandedheraslipofpaper.“Yourlaisser-passertoParis,”hesaid.“Youleaveinvemin-utes,madame!”

AstemporaryhostessofthechâteauMariewasfreetovisitanypartofit,andasshepassedherdoorasignalfromMadameBenettoldherthatAnfossiwasonthefourthoor,thathewasatwork,andthatthecoastwasclear.Softly,inthefeltslippersshealwayswore,assheexplained,inordernottodisturbthewounded,shemountedthestaircase.Inherhandshecarriedthehousekeeper’skeys,andasanexcuseitwasherplantoreturnwithanarmfuloflinenforthearrivingSisters.ButMarieneverreachedthetopofthestairs.Whenhereyesrosetothelevelofthefourthoorshecametoasuddenhalt.Atwhatshesawterrorgrippedher,boundherhandandfoot,andturnedherbloodtoice.

AtherpostforaninstantMadameBenethadslept,andanofcerofthestaff,ledbycuriosity,chance,orsuspicion,had,unobservedandunannounced,mountedtothefourthoor.WhenMariesawhim



hewasinfrontoftheroomthatheldthewireless.Hisbackwastowardher,butshesawthathewasholdingthedoortotheroomajar,thathiseyewaspressedtotheopening,andthatthroughithehadpushedthemuzzleofhisautomatic.WhatwouldbethefateofAnfossiMarieknew.Nordidsheforaninstantconsiderit.Herthoughtswereofherownsafety;thatshemightlive.NotthatshemightstillservetheWilhelmstrasse,theKaiser,ortheFatherland;butthatshemightlive.InamomentAnfossiwouldbedenounced,thechâteauwouldringwiththealarm,and,thoughsheknewAnfossiwouldnotbetrayher,byothersshemightbeaccused.Toavertsuspicionfromherselfshesawonlyonewayopen.ShemustbethersttodenounceAnfossi.

Likeadeersheleapeddownthemarblestairsand,inapanicshehadnoneedtoassume,burstintothepresenceofthestaff.

“Gentlemen!”shegasped,“myservant—thechauffeur—Briandisaspy!ThereisaGermanwirelessinthechâteau.Heisusingit!Ihaveseenhim.”Withexclamations,theofcersrosetotheirfeet.Gen-eralAndrealoneremainedseated.GeneralAndrewasaveteranofmanyColonialwars:Cochin-China,Algiers,Morocco.Thegreatwar,whenitcame,foundhimondutyintheIntelligenceDepartment.Hisaquilinenose,bristlingwhiteeyebrows,andashing,restlesseyesgavehimhisnicknameofl’Aigle.

Inamazement,theashingeyeswerenowturneduponMarie.Heglaredatherasthoughhethoughtshesuddenlyhadownmad.

“AGermanwireless!”heprotested.“Itisimpossible!”

“Iwasonthefourthoor,”pantedMarie,“collectinglinenfortheSisters.IntheroomnexttothelinenclosetIheardastrangebuzzingsound.Iopenedthedoorsoftly.IsawBriandwithhisbacktomeseatedbyaninstrument.Therewerereceiversclampedtohisears!MyGod!Thedisgrace.Thedis-gracetomyhusbandandtome,whovouchedforhimtoyou!”Apparentlyinanagonyofremorse,thengersofthewomanlacedandinterlaced.“Icannotforgivemyself!”

Theofcersmovedtowardthedoor,butGeneralAndrehaltedthem.Stillinatoneofincredulity,hedemanded:“Whendidyouseethis?”

Marieknewthequestionwascoming,knewshemustexplainhowshesawBriand,andyetdidnotseethestaffofcerwho,withhisprisoner,mightnowatanyinstantappear.Shemustmakeitplainshehaddiscoveredthespyandlefttheupperpartofthehousebeforetheofcerhadvisitedit.Whenthatwasshecouldnotknow,butthechancewasthathehadprecededherbyonlyafewminutes.

“Whendidyouseethis?”repeatedthegeneral.

“Butjustnow,”criedMarie;“nottenminutessince.”

“Whydidyounotcometomeatonce?”

“Iwasafraid,”repliedMarie.“IfImovedIwasafraidhemighthearme,andhe,knowingIwouldex-posehim,wouldkillme—andsoescapeyou!”Therewasaneagerwhisperofapproval.Forsilence,GeneralAndreslappedhishanduponthetable.

“Then,”continuedMarie,“Iunderstoodwiththereceiversonhisearshecouldnothaveheardmeopenthedoor,norcouldhehearmeleave,andIrantomyaunt.Thethoughtthatwehadharboredsuchananimalsickenedme,andIwasweakenoughtofeelfaint.Butonlyforaninstant.ThenIcame



here.”Shemovedswiftlytothedoor.“Letmeshowyoutheroom,”shebegged;“youcantakehimintheact.”Hereyes,wildwiththeexcitementofthechase,sweptthecircle.“Willyoucome?”shebegged.

Unconsciousofthecrisisheinterrupted,theorderlyondutyopenedthedoor.

“CaptainThierry’scompliments,”herecitedmechanically,“andishetodelaylongerforMadamed’Aurillac?”

WithasharpgestureGeneralAndrewavedMarietowardthedoor.Withoutrising,heinclinedhishead.“Adieu,madame,”hesaid.“Weactatonceuponyourinformation.Ithankyou!”

Asshecrossedfromthehalltotheterrace,theearsofthespywereassaultedbyasuddentumultofvoices.Theywereraisedinthreatsandcurses.Lookingback,shesawAnfossidescendingthestairs.Hishandswereheldabovehishead;behindhim,withhisautomatic,thestaffofcershehadsurprisedonthefourthoorwasdrivinghimforward.Abovetheclenchedstsofthesoldiersthatrantomeethim,theeyesofAnfossiwereturnedtowardher.Hisfacewasexpressionless.Hiseyesneitheraccusednorreproached.Andwiththejoyofonewhohaslookeduponandthenescapedtheguillotine,Marie

randownthestepstothewaitingautomobile.WithaprettycryofpleasuresheleapedintotheseatbesideThierry.Gaylyshethrewoutherarms.“ToParis!”shecommanded.ThehandsomeeyesofThi-erry,eloquentwithadmiration,lookedbackintohers.Hestooped,threwintheclutch,andthegreatgraycar,withthemachinegunanditscrewofprivatesguardingtherear,plungedthroughthepark.

“ToParis!”echoedThierry.

IntheorderinwhichMariehadlastseenthem,AnfossiandthestaffofcerenteredtheroomofGen-eralAndre,anduponthesoldiersinthehallthedoorwasshut.Thefaceofthestaffofcerwasgrave,buthisvoicecouldnotconcealhiselation.

“Mygeneral,”hereported,“Ifoundthismanintheactofgivinginformationtotheenemy.Thereisawireless—”

GeneralAndreroseslowly.Helookedneitherattheofcernorathisprisoner.Withfrowningeyeshestareddownatthemapsuponhistable.

“Iknow,”heinterrupted.“Someonehasalreadytoldme.”Hepaused,andthen,asthoughrecallinghismanners,butstillwithoutraisinghiseyes,headded:“Youhavedonewell,sir.”

Insilencetheofcersofthestaffstoodmotionless.Withsurprisetheynotedthat,asyet,neitherinangernorcuriosityhadGeneralAndreglancedattheprisoner.Butofthepresenceofthegeneralthespywasmostacutelyconscious.Hestooderect,hisarmsstillraised,buthisbodystrainedforward,andontheavertedeyesofthegeneralhisownwerexed.

Inanagonyofsupplicationtheyaskedaquestion.

Atlast,asthoughagainsthiswish,towardthespythegeneralturnedhishead,andtheireyesmet.AndstillGeneralAndrewassilent.Thenthearmsofthespy,likethoseofarunnerwhohasnishedhisraceandbreaststhetapeexhausted,felltohissides.Inavoicelowandvibranthespokehisques-tion.



“Ithasbeensolong,sir,”hepleaded.“MayInotcomehome?”

GeneralAndreturnedtotheastonishedgroupsurroundinghim.Hisvoicewashushedlikethatofonewhospeaksacrossanopengrave.

“Gentlemen,”hebegan,“mychildren,”headded.“AGermanspy,awoman,involvedinascandalyourbrotherinarms,HenriRavignac.Hishonor,hethought,wasconcerned,andwithouthonorherefusedtolive.ToprovehimguiltlesshisyoungerbrotherCharlesaskedleavetoseekoutthewomanwho

hadbetrayedHenri,andbyuswasdetailedonsecretservice.Hegaveuphome,family,friends.Helivedinexile,inpoverty,atalltimesindangerofaswiftandignobledeath.IntheWarOfceweknowhimasonewhohasgiventohiscountryservicesshecannothopetoreward.Forshecannotreturntohimtheyearshehaslost.Shecannotreturntohimhisbrother.ButshecanandwillclearthenameofHenriRavignac,anduponhisbrotherCharlesbestowpromotionandhonors.”

Thegeneralturnedandembracedthespy.“Mychildren,”hesaid,“welcomeyourbrother.Hehascomehome.”

Beforethecarhadreachedthefortications,MarieGesslerhadarrangedherplanofescape.Shehad

departedfromthechâteauwithoutevenahand-bag,andshewouldsaythatbeforetheshopsclosedshemustmakepurchases.

LePrintempslayintheirway,andsheaskedthat,whentheyreachedit,foramomentshemightalight.CaptainThierryreadilygavepermission.

Fromthedepartmentstoreitwouldbemosteasytodisappear,andinanticipationMariesmiledco-vertly.NorwasthepictureofCaptainThierryimpatientlywaitingoutsideunamusing.

ButbeforeLePrintempswasapproached,thecarturnedsharplydownanarrowstreet.Ononeside,alongitsentirelength,ranahighgraywall,grimandforbidding.Initwasagreengatestuddedwith

ironbolts.Beforethistheautomobiledrewsuddenlytoahalt.Thecrewofthearmoredcartumbledofftherearseat,andoneofthembeatuponthegreengate.Mariefeltahandoficeclutchatherthroat.Butshecontrolledherself.

“Andwhatisthis?”shecriedgayly.

AthersideCaptainThierrywassmilingdownather,buthissmilewashateful.

“ItistheprisonofSt.Lazare,”hesaid.“Itisnotbecoming,”headdedsternly,“thatthenameoftheCountessd’AurillacshouldbemadecommonastheParisroad!”

Fightingforherlife,Mariethrustherselfagainsthim;herarmthatthroughoutthejourneyhadrestedonthebackofthedriving-seatcaressedhisshoulders;herlipsandthevioleteyeswereclosetohis.

“Whyshouldyoucare?”shewhisperedercely.“Youhaveme!LettheCountd’Aurillaclookafterthehonorofhiswifehimself.”

ThecharmingThierrylaughedathermockingly.

“Hemeansto,”hesaid.“IamtheCountd’Aurillac!”FINIS



Giveawayanswers

1. At what time and location was the Prince of Wales born?November 9th in Buckingham Palace.2. Name his known mistresses in the order in which they conducted their liaisons with Bertie.Lillie Langtry, Daisy Greville (Lady Brooke, later Countess of Warwick), Alice Keppel, and Agnes Keyser.3. What was the rst scandal to bring attention to the wild ways of the Marlborough House Set?The Mordaunt divorce case.4. Who was known as the “Double Duchess” and to which dukes did she marry?Louise van Alten, who married the Duke of Manchester and then the Duke of Devonshire.5. Harry Cust’s love affairs garnered infamy when which current lover humiliated which past lover? Which famous late Edwardian childdid he sire?Gladys de Grey vs Theresa Londonderry. Lady Diana Manners.6. Fill in the blank: The members of the “Fourth Party” were Lord Randolph Churchill,

Arthur Balfour, John Gorst, and Henry Drummond-Wolff 7. What events marked the beginning and the end of the London Season?

The Private View at the Royal Academy and the Glorious Twelfth.8. To whom is attributed the quote: “You all sit around discussing one another’s souls. I shall call you ‘The Souls’.”Lord Charles Beresford.9. What year did the Prince of Wales’ horse win the Derby, and what was the horse’s name?1896. Persimmon.10. Name a few of the relatives which garnered Edward VII the name “Uncle of Europe” and how he was related to them.His nephews the Kaiser Wilhelm II of the German Empire and Nicholas, Tsar of Russia. His nieces Queen Ena of Spain, Queen Marieof Romania, and Tsarina Alexandra of Russia.11. In which royal house did Edward VII prefer to spend his time?Sandringham12. What hotel did Rosa Lewis make famous? What was the king’s favorite dish?The Cavendish Hotel on Jermyn Street. Quail Pudding.13. What are the names of Daisy, Countess of Warwick’s youngest two children and who was their father rumored to be?

Maynard and Mercy. Joe Laycock.14. What are professional beauties?Beautiful socialites whose photos and presence were highly sought-after in the 1880s.15. List the garments, in order, which Edwardian ladies had to put on before their gowns.Combinations, bustle pad, chemise, under-corset, corset, corset-cover, stockings, and petticoat.16. When did MP’s obtain a salary, and how much was it?In 1911. £400 per annum.17. Joseph Chamberlain rose to prominence from which northern city, what party did he lead, and what was his pet reform?Birmingham. Tariff Reform.

18. What 1907 novel by Elinor Glyn shocked society? What doggerel was composed for it?Three Weeks.

Would you like to sin

With Elinor GlynOn a tiger skin? Or would you prefer To err with her On some other fur?

19. Jennie Jerome married three times--who were her husbands and what was uncommon about each marriage?Lord Randolph Churchill--that she was an American; George Cornwallis-West--that he was twenty years her junior; Montagu Porch--that he was younger than Winston!

20. Name the Edwardian era’s wealthiest American heiresses and their dowries.

Consuelo Vanderbilt: $2.5 million; Mary Leiter: £1.5 million; May Goelet: £2 million; Anita Rhinelander: $2.5 mil li on; Anna Gould: $6 mil-lion; Flora Sharon: $2 million; Anita Murphy: $2 million.



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Gilded Magazine 1.2 (Autumn 2010)