compare with this story in two points--absolute
conciseness of form and analysis of motive.... Here is a theme of
vital truthfulness and Mr. Louis Zangwill has dealt with it with the
hand of a master of form....

A Nineteenth Century Miracle.

_Academy:_ As tantalizing a problem as was ever bound in cloth.

_Pall Mall Gazette:_ As tangled a skein as ever the brain of Gaboriau
evolved.

_Daily Chronicle:_ We have seldom read a better piece of
mystification.

_Morning Leader:_ It would probably defy the most ingeniously
imaginative reader to make in the course of the story even an
approximate leap toward the heart of the miracle that Louis Zangwill
has wrought for his astonishment.

* * * * *

CLEO THE MAGNIFICENT

Or

The Muse of the Real

A Novel

by

LOUIS ZANGWILL

Author of "The Beautiful Miss Brooke," "The World and a Man," Etc., Etc.

New York: G. W. Dillingham Co., Publishers.
London: Wm. Heinemann.
MDCCCXCVIII.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1897, by G. W.
DILLINGHAM CO., In the office of the Librarian of Congress at
Washington, D. C.

_Cleo the Magnificent._

BOOK I.

CLEO THE MAGNIFICENT

CHAPTER I.

It was past midnight, and both men were smoking leisurely by the study
fireside. Morgan Druce sat just on the edge of a low chair, his long,
slim body bent forward, his clean-shaven boyish face well within the
glow of the fire. Though he appeared to be looking at it, he was only
conscious of its warmth.

Robert Ingram, middle-aged and bearded, lolled back in sensuous
comfort. "The long and the short of it is," he resumed, "you've a
soul-crisis on just at present. Crises are bad for the digestion, and
I took care to grow out of them long ago."

"Our temperaments are very different," said Morgan.

"That's what makes your case so difficult to meet," returned Ingram.
"It's your infernal temperament. One never knows how to take it. In
fact, you're the sort of person in whose existence I never really
believed; for though, as you know, I once had ideals and a literary
conscience, I was always aware they would go as soon as I had a market
for everything I could manufacture. You are the genuine incorruptible
artist, to whom art is sacred. I really don't know whether to be
doubtful of my cynicism or your sanity."

"That my case _is_ a pretty bad one I've already admitted," put in
Morgan.

"Now, if you w