Dedication
To CAROLINE
Experience of the reception of The Fallen Leaves by intelligent readers, who have followed the course of the periodical publication at home and abroad, has satisfied me that the design of the work speaks for itself, and that the scrupulous delicacy of treatment, in certain portions of the story, has been as justly appreciated as I could wish. Having nothing to explain, and (so far as my choice of subject is concerned) nothing to excuse, I leave my book, without any prefatory pleading for it, to make its appeal to the reading public on such merits as it may possess.
W. C. GLOUCESTER PLACE, LONDON July 1st, 1879
CONTENTS
THE PROLOGUE
THE STORY
BOOK THE FIRST. AMELIUS AMONG THE SOCIALISTS
BOOK THE FIFTH. THE FATAL LECTURE
BOOK THE EIGHTH. DAME NATURE DECIDES