The Prince and Betty

The Prince and Betty

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Title: The Prince and Betty (American edition)
Author: P. G. Wodehouse
Release Date: November, 2004 [EBook #6955] [Yes, we are more than
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2003]
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THE PRINCE AND BETTY

by P. G. WODEHOUSE
[American edition] 1912

CONTENTS

CHAPTER
I THE CABLE FROM MERVO
II MERVO AND ITS OWNER
III JOHN
IV VIVE LE ROI
V MR. SCOBELL HAS ANOTHER IDEA
VI YOUNG ADAM CUPID
VII MR. SCOBELL IS FRANK
VIII AN ULTIMATUM FROM THE THRONE
IX MERVO CHANGES ITS CONSTITUTION
X MRS. OAKLEY

XI A LETTER OP INTRODUCTION
XII "PEACEFUL MOMENTS"
XIII BETTY MAKES A FRIEND
XIV A CHANGE OF POLICY
XV THE HONEYED WORD
XVI TWO VISITORS TO THE OFFICE
XVII THE MAN AT THE ASTOR
XVIII THE HIGHFIELD
XIX THE FIRST BATTLE
XX BETTY AT LARGE
XXI CHANGES IN THE STAFF
XXII A GATHERING OF CAT SPECIALISTS
XXIII THE RETIREMENT OF SMITH
XXIV THE CAMPAIGN QUICKENS
XXV CORNERED
XXVI JOURNEY'S END
XXVII A LEMON
XXVIII THE FINAL ATTEMPT
XXIX A REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING
XXX CONCLUSION

THE PRINCE AND BETTY

CHAPTER I
THE CABLE PROM MERVO
A pretty girl in a blue dress came out of the house, and began to walk
slowly across the terrace to where Elsa Keith sat with Marvin Rossiter
in the shade of the big sycamore. Elsa and Marvin had become engaged
some few days before, and were generally to be found at this time
sitting together in some shaded spot in the grounds of the Keith's Long
Island home.
"What's troubling Betty, I wonder," said Elsa. "She looks worried."
Marvin turned his head.
"Is that your friend, Miss Silver?"
"That's Betty. We were at college together. I want you to like Betty."
"Then I will. When did she arrive?"
"Last night. She's here for a month. What's the matter, Betty? This is
Marvin. I want you to like Marvin."
Betty Silver smiled. Her face, in repose, was rather wistful, but it
lighted up when she smiled, and an unsuspected dimple came into
being on her chin.
"Of course I shall," she said.
Her big gray eyes seemed to search Marvin's for an instant and Marvin
had, almost subconsciously, a comfortable feeling that he had been
tested and found worthy.
"What were you scowling at so ferociously, Betty?" asked Elsa.

"Was I scowling? I hope you didn't think it was at you. Oh, Elsa, I'm
miserable! I shall have to leave this heavenly place."
"Betty!"
"At once. And I was meaning to have the most lovely time. See what
has come!"
She held out some flimsy sheets of paper.
"A cable!" said Elsa.
"Great Scott! it looks like the scenario of a four-act play," said Marvin.
"That's not all one cable, surely? Whoever sent it must be a
millionaire."
"He is. It's from my stepfather. Read it out, Elsa. I want Mr. Rossiter to
hear it. He may be able to tell me where Mervo is. Did you ever hear of
Mervo, Mr. Rossiter?"
"Never. What is it?"
"It's a place where my stepfather is, and where I've got to go. I do call it
hard. Go on, Elsa."
Elsa, who had been skimming the document with raised eyebrows, now
read it out in its spacious entirety.
_On receipt of this come instantly Mervo without moment delay vital
importance presence urgently required come wherever you are cancel
engagements urgent necessity hustle have advised bank allow you draw
any money you need expenses have booked stateroom Mauretania
sailing Wednesday don't fail catch arrive Fishguard Monday train
London sleep London catch first train