The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Jervaise Comedy, by J. D. Beresford

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Title: The Jervaise Comedy

Author: J. D. Beresford

Release Date: February 20, 2005 [EBook #15116]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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THE JERVAISE COMEDY

BY

J.D. BERESFORD

New York

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY

1919

CONTENTS

CHAPTER
I THE FIRST HOUR
II ANNE
III FRANK JERVAISE
IV IN THE HALL
V DAYBREAK
VI MORNING
VII NOTES AND QUERIES
VIII THE OUTCAST
IX BANKS
X THE HOME FARM
XI THE STORY
XII CONVERSION
XIII FARMER BANKS
XIV MRS. BANKS
XV REMEMBRANCE
POSTSCRIPT--THE TRUE STORY

THE JERVAISE COMEDY

I

THE FIRST HOUR

When I was actually experiencing the thrill, it came delightfully,
however, blended with a threat that proclaimed the imminent consequence of
dismay. I appreciated the coming of the thrill, as a rare and unexpected
"dramatic moment." I savoured and enjoyed it as a real adventure suddenly
presented in the midst of the common business of life. I imaginatively
transplanted the scene from the Hall of Thorp-Jervaise to a West-End
theatre; and in my instant part of unoccupied spectator I admired the art
with which the affair had been staged. It is so seldom that we are given
an opportunity to witness one of these "high moments," and naturally
enough I began instinctively to turn the scene into literature; admitting
without hesitation, as I am often forced to admit, that the detail of
reality is so much better and more typical than any I can invent.

But, having said that, I wonder how far one does invent in such an
experience? The same night I hinted something of my appreciation of the
dramatic quality of the stir at the Hall door to Frank Jervaise, Brenda's
brother, and he, quite obviously, had altogether missed that aspect of the
affair. He scowled with that forensic, bullying air he is so successfully
practising at the Junior Bar, as he said, "I suppose