The Flame (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1911 Excerpt: ...nobleman, especially one bearing the exalted title of a prince. He was already figuring on his uncle's delight when he could send the Duke an announcement of his engagement to a fifty-million-dollar heiress. With a contented smile, Jean Marie stretched himself out in a lounging chair in his reception-room at the Fairmont, and with luxurious ease and satisfaction, puffed leisurely at his expensive cigarette. He had planned a most alluring future. Gwendolyn would be plunged into the whirl of a social life, and this would give him his liberty, so that he could live as when a bachelor. They would make their home at Versailles with his highly-respected and moral uncle, and Jean Marie would find it necessary to spend much of his time in Paris. Gwendolyn was so innocent that he could deceive her easily, especially if he was loving and romantic when with her. He had no intention of heing a stern master, because it would be more agreeable to have her gay, and in this way, through her, he could count upon his uncle's favor, knowing that Gwendolyn was the kind of girl who would please the Duke. A slow smile curved Jean Marie's lips as he thought of the riotous living in which he could indulge when he would have fifty millions at his disposal. All the women of Bohemian Paris would be at his feet, but the one he coveted most of all was the glowing, capricious Camille.... Camille The thought of her gave him a most unpleasant shock. He had not seen her since the meeting with Gwendolyn at Pastori's. That night he and Camille had had a stormy scene and he had left her in a rage, vowing that he never again would see her, but he knew that his vow was meaningless, because, as she had pointedly reminded him, he was absolutely within her power, and the wisest course he could fo...