The Project Gutenberg EBook of Blind Love, by Wilkie Collins
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Title: Blind Love
Author: Wilkie Collins
Posting Date: January 28, 2009 [EBook #7890]
Release Date: April 2005
Language: English
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLIND LOVE ***
Produced by James Rusk. HTML version by Al Haines.
Blind Love
by
Wilkie Collins
(completed by Walter Besant)
CONTENTS
PREFACE
PROLOGUE
FIRST PERIOD
I
THE SOUR FRENCH WINE
II
THE MAN SHE REFUSED
III
THE REGISTERED PACKET
IV
THE GAME: MOUNTJOY LOSES
V
THE GAME: MOUNTJOY PLAYS A NEW CARD
VI
THE GAME: MOUNTJOY WINS
VII
DOCTORING THE DOCTOR
VIII
HER FATHER'S MESSAGE
IX
MR. VIMPANY ON INTOXICATION
X
THE MOCKERY OF DECEIT
XI
MRS. VIMPANY'S FAREWELL
XII
LORD HARRY's DEFENCE
THE SECOND PERIOD
XIII
IRIS AT HOME
XIV
THE LADY'S MAID
XV
MR. HENLEY'S TEMPER
XVI
THE DOCTOR IN FULL DRESS
XVII
ON HAMPSTEAD HEATH
XVIII
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE
XIX
MR. HENLEY AT HOME
XX
FIRST SUSPICIONS OF IRIS
XXI
THE PARTING SCENE
XXII
THE FATAL WORDS
THE THIRD PERIOD
XXIII
NEWS OF IRIS
XXIV
LORD HARRY'S HONEYMOON
XXV
THE DOCTOR IN DIFFICULTIES
XXVI
LONDON AND PARIS
XXVII
THE BRIDE AT HOME
XXVIII
THE MAID AND THE KEYHOLE
XXIX
THE CONQUEST OF MR. VIMPANY
XXX
SAXON AND CELT
XXXI
THE SCHOOL FOR HUSBANDS
XXXII
GOOD-BYE TO IRIS
XXXIII
THE DECREE OF FATE
XXXIV
MY LORD'S MIND
XXXV
MY LADY'S MIND
XXXVI
THE DOCTOR MEANS MISCHIEF
XXXVII
THE FIRST QUARREL
XXXVIII
ICI ON PARLE FRANCAIS
XXXIX
THE MYSTERY OF THE HOSPITAL
XL
DIRE NECESSITY
XLI
THE MAN IS FOUND.
XLII
THE METTLESOME MAID
XLIII
FICTION: ATTEMPTED BY MY LORD
XLIV
FICTION: IMPROVED BY THE DOCTOR
XLV
FACT: RELATED BY FANNY
XLVI
MAN AND WIFE
XLVII
THE PATIENT AND MY LORD
XLVIII
"THE MISTRESS AND THE MAID"
XLIX
THE NURSE IS SENT AWAY
L
IN THE ALCOVE
LI
WHAT NEXT?
LII
THE DEAD MAN'S PHOTOGRAPH
LIII
THE WIFE'S RETURN
LIV
ANOTHER STEP
LV
THE ADVENTURES OF A FAITHFUL MAID
LVI
FANNY'S NARRATIVE
LVII
AT LOUVAIN
LVIII
OF COURSE THEY WILL PAY
LIX
THE CONSEQUENCES OF AN ADVERTISEMENT
LX
ON THE EVE OF A CHANGE
LXI
THE LAST DISCOVERY
LXII
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LXIII
A REFUGE
LXIV
THE INVINCIBLES
EPILOGUE
PREFACE
IN the month of August 1889, and in the middle of the seaside holiday, a message came to me from Wilkie Collins, then, though we hoped otherwise, on his death-bed.
It was conveyed to me by Mr. A. P. Watt. He told me that his son had just come from Wilkie Collins: that they had been speaking of his novel, "Blind Love," then running in the Illustrated London News: that the novel was, unfortunately, unfinished: that he himself could not possibly finish it: and that he would be very glad, if I would finish it if I could find the time. And that if I could undertake this work he would send me his notes of the remainder. Wilkie Collins added these words: "If he has the time I think he will do it: we are both old hands at this work, and understand it, and he knows that I would do the same for him if he were in my place."
Under the circumstances of the case, it was impossible to decline this request. I wrote to say that time should be made, and the notes were forwarded to me at Robin Hood's Bay. I began by reading carefully and twice over, so as to get a grip of the story and the novelist's intention, the part that had already appeared, and the proofs so far as the author had gone. I then turned to the notes. I found that these were not merely notes such as I expected—simple indications of the plot and the development of events, but an actual detailed scenario, in which every incident, however trivial, was carefully laid down: there were also fragments of dialogue inserted at those places where dialogue was wanted to emphasise the situation and make it real. I was much struck with the writer's perception of the vast importance of dialogue in making the reader seize the scene. Description requires attention: dialogue rivets attention.
It is not an easy task, nor is it pleasant, to carry on another man's work: but the possession of this scenario lightened the work enormously. I have been careful to adhere faithfully and exactly to the plot, scene by scene, down to the smallest detail as it was laid down by the author in this book. I have altered nothing. I have preserved and incorporated every fragment of dialogue. I have used the very language wherever that was written so carefully as to show that it was meant to be used. I think that there is only one trivial detail where I had to choose because it was not clear from the notes what the author had intended. The plot of the novel, every scene, every situation, from beginning to end, is the work of Wilkie Collins. The actual writing is entirely his up to a certain point: from that point to the end it is partly his, but mainly mine. Where his writing ends and mine begins, I need not point out. The practised critic will, no doubt, at once lay his finger on the spot.
I have therefore carried out the author's wishes to the best of my ability. I would that he were living still, if only to regret that he had not been allowed to finish his last work with his own hand!
WALTER BESANT.
BLIND LOVE
THE PROLOGUE