"Put Queen or Hearts."
By A. Hales. Hodder and Stoughton. London.
A book by A. G. Hales is sufficient indication that it will contain a good story, well told, and "The Queen of Hearts' is certainly a relief ce the succession of inferior novels which are sent to the press for review purposes. It is dedicated to a corporal in the far-famed Corps of Bersaglien, a fellow of whom the author evidently made a staunch friend during the War, The Queen of Hearts makes her appearance at a masked ball, deriving her name from her costume, and notwithstanding the fact that she is the especial partner of ihe Regent—afterwards George IV—Torrence, a dashing young cavalry officer, has the effrontery to de-' mand three dances from her. The mystery surrounding the enigmagical Queen of Hearts makes it most difficult for Torrence to discover her identity but, having became infatuated, he lives in hope of seeing her again. When he ritually does detec: her emerging from the Playhouse, he receives such a rebuff for his unwelcome attentions that no man 1 would appear to have less prespect of success at wooing than Torrence. His persistence incurs H the displeasure of the Regent, and having made enemies in such an. influential quarter, it is not surprising that he is relieved ohis commis The various stages by which he forces his unwelcome company upon the lady of his desire form the main theme of the story. intermingled with fencing, boxing and racing inter-ludos bearing on the plot.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.