It is more than two years since the outline of this simple story first suggested itself to me, and since the first chapters were written.
Many times since then, conscious that I possessed no talent as a novelist, I have resolved to abandon the work. Yet an unaccountable and mysterious impulse (which no doubt my severe critics will declare as unfortunate, as unaccountable) compelled me to complete it.
I have attempted no fine descriptions, no rare word-painting, no flights of eloquence. These things lie not within my province. As simply and briefly as possible, I have endeavored to relate such events as occur almost daily in our midst.
In Percy Durand, I have described, and possibly, somewhat idealized, a type of man to be found in any of the cities of America.
In Dolores King, the unfortunate and undesired offspring of a loveless marriage fletrie avant sa naissance.
In Helena Maxon, my ideal of
"The perfect woman, nobly planned
To counsel, comfort and command."
In my selection of a title, I could find no suitable English term which would express the meaning I wished to convey in unison with the leading idea in the book. Therefore, I was obliged, not without reluctance, to use a French term.
To avoid many personal inquiries, I would say, in the beginning, that while I have known nearly all the experiences herein related to occur, in actual life, I do not, at the present time, know of any person or persons who answer to the characters I have created.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox.
Meriden, Ct., December, 1885.