CHAPTER I.THE GATES OF THE SEA.
The part I played in Mrs.Falchion's career was not very noble, but I shall set it forth plainly here, else I could not have the boldness to write of her faults or those of others.

Of my own history little need be said in preface.

Soon after graduating with honours as a physician, I was offered a professional post in a college of medicine in Canada.

It was difficult to establish a practice in medicine without some capital, else I had remained in London; and, being in need of instant means, I gladly accepted the offer.

But six months were to intervene before the beginning of my duties--how to fill that time profitably was the question.