The Ivory Gate, a new edition

Sunt geminae Somni portae: quarum altera fertur Cornea, qua veris facilis datur exitus umbris: Altera candenti perfecta nitens elephanto: Sed falsa ad caelum mittunt insomnia manes.

VIRGIL, AEn. VI.

NOTE.

After this novel was commenced in Chambers's Journal it was discovered that the title had already been used by the late Mr. Mortimer Collins, for a novel published in the year 1865. The Author communicated with Mr. Collins's representatives, and has to thank them for making no opposition to the use of this title.

THE IVORY GATE

BY WALTER BESANT

AUTHOR OF 'ALL SORTS AND CONDITIONS OF MEN' ETC.

[Illustration]

A NEW EDITION

London CHATTO & WINDUS, PICCADILLY 1893

TO S. SQUIRE SPRIGGE, ESQ., M.D.

MY DEAR SPRIGGE,

_Since it was you who first instructed me in the existence of the brain disease which forms the motif of this story, and furnished me with such illustrations of its working as enabled me to write the story, I am in honour bound to make the most public acknowledgment possible of this fact._

_I therefore beg to inscribe your name on the title page of this volume in grateful recognition of an obligation which is not by any means discharged by such recognition. I am also moved to do so in remembrance of another kind of work in which I have been so fortunate as to have your invaluable collaboration._

Very sincerely yours, WALTER BESANT.

UNITED UNIVERSITY CLUB, S.W. September 12, 1892.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE PROLOGUE: WHO IS EDMUND GRAY? 1 I. UP THE RIVER 29 II. IN THE OFFICE 37 III. THE SELECT CIRCLE 47 IV. A REBELLIOUS CHILD 56 V. SOMETHING HAPPENS 65 VI. SOMETHING MORE HAPPENS 74 VII. SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS 83 VIII. IN HONOUR OF THE EVENT 93 IX. AT THE GATES OF PARADISE 102 X. A MYSTERIOUS DISCOVERY 110 XI. A MYSTERIOUS DISCOVERY 118 XII. THE FIRST FIND 134 XIII. THINGS MORE REMARKABLE 142 XIV. CHECKLEY'S CASE 152 XV. WHO IS EDMUND GRAY? 162 XVI. THE VOICE OF DUTY 172 XVII. WAS HE IN RAGS? 180 XVIII. THE PRODIGAL AT HOME 188 XIX. THE WHISPER OF CALUMNY 195 XX. HE COMES FROM EDMUND GRAY 205 XXI. I AM EDMUND GRAY 213 XXII. MASTER AND DISCIPLE 223 XXIII. THE HALL OF THE NEW FAITH 231 XXIV. CAN HE REMEMBER? 240 XXV. WILL HE REMEMBER? 248 XXVI. THE LESSON OF THE STREET 255 XXVII. 'I KNOW THE MAN' 272 XXVIII. ATHELSTAN'S DISCOVERY 280 XXIX. CHECKLEY SEES A GHOST 288 XXX. THE DAY AFTER THE GHOST 296 XXXI. THE THREE ACCOMPLICES 304 XXXII. ELSIE AND HER MOTHER 315 XXXIII. PLENARY CONFESSION 320 XXXIV. LE CONSEIL DE FAMILLE 338 XXXV. THE LAST 355

PROLOGUE

WHO IS EDMUND GRAY?

Mr. Edward Dering, in a rare interval of work, occupied himself with looking into his bank book. Those humble persons whom the City, estimating the moral and spiritual worth of a man by his income, calls 'small,' frequently and anxiously examine their bank books, add up the columns, and check the entries. Mr. Dering, who was not a small man, but a big man, or rather, from a City point of view, a biggish man, very seldom looked at his bank book; first because, like other solicitors in large practice, he had clerks and accountants to do that kind of work for him: next because, like many solicitors, while he managed the affairs of other people with unceasing watchfulness, he was apt to neglect his own affairs. Happily, when one has an income of some thousands, private affairs from time to time force themselves upon their owner in the most agreeable manner possible. They obtrude themselves upon him. They insist upon being noticed. They compel him to look after them respectfully: to remove them from the dulness of the bank, and to make them comfortable in investments.