



Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by
Google Books (the New York Public Library)











Transcriber's Notes:
   1. Page scan source: Google Books
      https://books.google.com/books?id=PAAoAAAAMAAJ
      (the New York Public Library)






LEISURE HOURS SERIES.
---------------------
THE SHIELD OF LOVE



BY
B. L. FARJEON



NEW YORK
HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY
1891






COPYRIGHT, 1891,
BY
HENRY HOLT & CO.



THE MERSHON COMPANY PRESS,
RAHWAY, N. J.






CONTENTS.

CHAPTER
      I. In which some particulars are given of the Fox-Cordery
            family.
     II. Poor Cinderella.
    III. A family discussion.
     IV. Wherein Cinderella asserts herself.
      V. In which John Dixon informs Mr. Fox-Cordery
            that he has seen a ghost.
     VI. In which we make the acquaintance of Rathbeal.
    VII. Billy turns the corner.
   VIII. The gambler's confession.
     IX. Mr. Fox-Cordery is not easy in his mind.
      X. In which Mr. Fox-Cordery meets with a repulse.
     XI. Little Prue.
    XII. "DRIP--DRIP--DRIP!"
   XIII. In which Rathbeal makes a winning move.
    XIV. Do you remember Billy's last prayer?
     XV. Friends in Council.
    XVI. Mr. Fox-Cordery's master-stroke.
   XVII. Retribution.






THE SHIELD OF LOVE.




CHAPTER I.
In which some particulars are given of the Fox-Cordery Family.


This is not exactly a story of Cinderella, although a modern
Cinderella--of whom there are a great many more in our social life
than people wot of--plays her modest part therein; and the allusion to
one of the world's prettiest fairy-tales is apposite enough because
her Prince, an ordinary English gentleman prosaically named John
Dixon, was first drawn to her by the pity which stirs every honest
heart when innocence and helplessness are imposed upon. Pity became
presently sweetened by affection, and subsequently glorified by love,
which, at the opening of our story, awaited its little plot of
fresh-smelling earth to put forth its leaves, the healthy flourishing
of which has raised to the dignity of a heavenly poem that most
beautiful of all words, Home.

Her Christian name was Charlotte, her surname Fox-Cordery, and she had
a mother and a brother. These, from the time her likeness to
Cinderella commenced, comprised the household.

Had it