HIS END WAS HIS BEGINNING

It starts as a drunken orgy, with its allotment of shockers and sex. Part way through, the author settles down to a good story, forgets to drug herself with words, and moves right along in a plot that recalls All Men Are Enemies in general theme. Paull, well born Viennese, forgets himself in the eyes of his world by falling seriously in love with a nursemaid to his sister's children. Before they are able to commit the ultimate indiscretion of matrimony, the war intervenes and they are separated, each thinking the other dead. Eventually, he marries, out of pity. And then the lovers find each other again, only to realize that they cannot have each other, until he is spiritually free. The type of story indicates the market, though it is not light enough in tone for the usual rental library outlets.