CHAPTER IV

WHICH SMELLS VERY VILELY OF THE STABLE April softened into May, and the hawthorns were in blossom before Richard passed any other very note-worthy milestone on the road of personal development. Then, greatly tempted, he committed a venial sin; received prompt and coarse chastisement; and, by means of the said chastisement, as is the merciful way of the Eternal Justice, found unhoped of emancipation. It happened thus. As the spring days grew warm Mademoiselle de Mirancourt failed somewhat. The darkness and penetrati…