Page:Marie Corelli - the writer and the woman (IA mariecorelliwrit00coat).pdf/177

 case of Marie Corelli's publications,—insist upon doing so.

Most of the critics entirely missed the point of "The Sorrows of Satan." There is a notable character in the book—Lady Sibyl Elton. Now the idea of Lady Sibyl was an allegorical one. She represented, to Marie Corelli's mind, the brilliant, indifferent, selfish, vicious impersonation of ''Society offering itself body and soul to the devil''. This was completely lost sight of by most of those who criticised the book, and who had not the imagination to see beyond the mere forms of woman and fiend. All the other characters are arranged to play round this one central idea, so far as the "woman of the piece" was concerned.

It utterly surprised the author to find that people imagined that she had taken some real woman to portray, and had contrasted her badness with Mavis Clare to advertise her own excellent character against the other's blackness. Facts, however, are facts. Marie Corelli considers that the evils of society are wrought by women; hence the impersonation of Lady Sibyl as a woman, courting the devil. Secondly, she considers that the reformation of society must be wrought by women; hence the impersonation of Mavis Clare, as a woman repelling the devil.

"The Sorrows of Satan" is now in its forty-third