
A charismatic young man, fresh from the war and full of restless energy, occupies a cramped flat with a troupe of witty friends. He flits between doors, bantering with the flirtatious Cornelia and the alluring Mazie while scheming about his costume for an upcoming masked ball—whether to appear as a saint, a cavalier, or a legendary lover. Their rapid-fire dialogue paints a picture of a vibrant, bohemian world where humor and flirtation mask deeper desires.
Beneath the merriment lies a pressing dilemma: the radical Outlaws club, swollen with new members after the armistice, must decide how to fund its new headquarters. The proposal of a public masked ball pits the impulsive leader Hutchins Burley against those who fear scandal, while our protagonist pushes for a more controlled, costume‑only affair. As loyalties shift and tempers flare, the stage is set for a lively clash of ideals, romance, and the search for freedom in a society still finding its post‑war rhythm.
Language
en
Duration
~12 hours (736K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2015-08-06
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1882–1965
An early 20th-century writer and critic, remembered for fiction, plays, and lively essays on George Bernard Shaw, he moved easily between literature, politics, and scholarship. His work ranges from social novels like The Love Chase to studies of Old English charms, giving him an unusual place between creative writing and literary criticism.
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