MESSALINA OF THE SUBURBS
Messalina of the
Suburbs : : : : By
E. M. DELAFIELD : :
Author of “Tension,” “The Optimist,” “A
Reversion to Type,” etc.
LONDON: HUTCHINSON & CO.
PATERNOSTER ROW
DEDICATED
TO
M. P. P.
My Dear Margaret,
We have so often agreed that causes are moreinteresting than the most dramatic results, that I feel youare the right person to receive the dedication of my storyabout Elsie Palmer, in which I have tried to reconstructthe psychological developments that led, by inexorabledegrees, to the catastrophe of murder. These things arenever “bolts from the blue” in reality, but merely sensationalaccessories to the real issue, which lies on that moresubtle plane of thought where only personalities are deservingof dissection.
For what it is worth, I offer you an impression of ElsiePalmer’s personality.
E. M. D.
August, 1923.
CONTENTS
| PAGE | |
| MESSALINA OF THE SUBURBS | 11 |
| THE BOND OF UNION | 185 |
| LOST IN TRANSMISSION | 193 |
| TIME WORKS WONDERS | 213 |
| THE GALLANT LITTLE LADY | 223 |
| THE HOTEL CHILD | 235 |
| IMPASSE | 249 |
| THE APPEAL | 259 |
| THE FIRST STONE | 269 |
MESSALINA OF THE SUBURBS
Messalina of the Suburbs
PART I
I
“Elsie, I’ve told you before, I won’t have you going withboys.”
“I don’t, mother.”
“Yes, you do. And don’t contradict. Surely to goodnessyou’re aware by this time that it’s the heighth of badmanners to contradic