The Woman
Thou Gavest Me
Being the Story of Mary O'Neill
By HALL CAINE
Author of "The Prodigal Son," Etc.
Published August, 1913
THE AUTHOR TO THE READER
How much of the story of Mary O'Neill is a work of my ownimagination, and how much comes from an authentic source I do notconsider it necessary to say. But as I have in this instance drawnmore largely and directly from fact than is usually the practice ofthe novelist, I have thought it my duty to defeat all possibleattempts at personal identification by altering and disguising themore important scenes and characters. Therefore this novel is notto be understood as referring to any living person or persons, andthe convent school described in it is not to be identified with anysimilar educational institution in Rome.
MARTIN CONRAD TO THE AUTHOR
Here are the Memoranda we have talked about. Do as you likewith them. Alter, amend, add to or take away from them, exactly asyou think best. They were written in the first instance for my owneye alone, and hence they take much for granted which may needexplanation before they can be put to the more general uses youhave designed for them. Make such explanation in any way youconsider suitable. It is my wish that in this matter your judgmentshould be accepted as mine. The deep feeling you could not concealwhen I told you the story of my dear one's life gives me confidencein your discretion.
Whatever the immediate effect may be, I feel that in the endI shall be justified—fully justified—in allowing thepublic to look for a little while into the sacred confessional ofmy darling's stainless heart.
I heard her voice again to-day. She was right—love isimmortal. God bless her! My ever lovely and beloved one!