The Court of St. Simon

E. Phillips Oppenheim, writing as Anthony Partridge, in 1912. A curious tale in three parts. The aristocratic Monsieur Simon with his consort Josephine, lives in the demi-monde of Paris, consorts with criminals and artists, and exacts "contributions" from various evil-doers in the "Court of St. Simon" an underground tribunal of, for, and by, the criminal class. One evening, he brings along with the the jaded youth Eugene d'Argminac who falls under the spell of blood lust and becomes a criminal himself.

M. Simon, bored with Paris, returns to England, where we find that he is really the Valentin, Vicomte de Souspennier. He visits his sister, the Lady Carlingford, whose neighbor is the lovely, but unmarried Sophy Arlen. Amidst the roses of her gardern, the two fall immediately and passionately in love. What could go wrong? Well, Sophy Arlen is actually the sister of d'Argminac, who has become a wastrel and worse. Sophy and Valentin quickly marry, but Valentin neglects to tell her that he is the "cause" of her brother's dissolution.

Years pass happily, a girl child is born. But Sophy (the mother) discovers that her husband has lied and she spurns him, completely.

More years pass, Valentin is living very frugally in London. Surprisingly, His wife (Sophy) sends their now 8 year old daughter to live with him in his boarding house. Valentin rises to the occasion, but curses his wife for valuing her freedom more than the child. Eventually D'Argminac is released from prison and finds himself once again in the hands of criminals.

Will Sophy (the child) bring about a reconciliation? Will pride and prejudice doom the marriage? Read the book.