Page:Marie Corelli - the writer and the woman (IA mariecorelliwrit00coat).pdf/72

 CHAPTER IV

"VENDETTA" AND "THELMA"

To Miss Corelli's host of admirers the story of "Vendetta" must be so familiar as to render a lengthy repetition of it unnecessary. "Vendetta" is, briefly, an exposition—in the form of a novel—on marital infidelity.

In August, 1886, before the book was published, Mr. Bentley wrote: "May I tell you that I have been again looking into 'Vendetta,' and I venture to prophesy a success? It is a powerful story, and a great stride forward on the first book it marches on to its awful finale with the grimness of a Greek play."

That Mr. Bentley's prophecy was fulfilled is clearly indicated in a letter addressed by him to the authoress on October 22d of the same year: "I have very great pleasure in sending the enclosed, because I should have been mortified beyond expression if the public had not responded to the marked power of your story. I believe you will come now steadily to the front, and I am very curious to read your new story." "I shall