<영어로 읽는 고전 _ 로버트 W. 챔버스의 관습법>
"The Common Law"는 1911년에 출판된 Robert W. Chambers가 쓴 소설로 낭만적인 소설로 간주되며 사랑, 관계 및 사회적 규범이라는 주제를 탐구하고 있다.
로버트 윌리엄 챔버스(Robert William Chambers)는 19세기 말부터 20세기 초에 활동한 미국의 작가로, 소설가, 화가, 일러스트레이터로서 활동했다. 그의 작품 중에서 가장 잘 알려진 작품은 공포 소설 '킹 카르코스의 황홀한 이야기(The King in Yellow)'다. 이 작품은 공포와 미스터리 요소를 담은 소설 집으로, 후대의 작가들에게 큰 영향을 끼쳤다.


"The Common Law" is a novel written by Robert W. Chambers, published in 1911 and considered a romantic novel, exploring themes of love, relationships and social norms.
Robert William Chambers was an American writer active from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century, and was active as a novelist, painter, and illustrator. His best known work is the horror novel 'The King in Yellow'. This work is a collection of novels containing horror and mystery elements, and had a great influence on later writers.

요약
이야기는 성공적이고 매력적인 예술가인 Valentine Corliss와 관습을 거부하는 활기찬 젊은 여성 Imogene Willard를 중심으로 전개된다. 이 소설은 그들의 열정적이고 색다른 관계를 탐구하며 사회의 기대에 대한 전통적인 경계에 도전한다.
"The Common Law"는 결혼, 개인의 자유, 사회적 규범과 관련된 주제를 탐구한 것으로 유명하다. 연애와 섹슈얼리티에 대한 솔직한 논의로 인해 당시로서는 논란이 된 작품이었다.

Summary
The story revolves around Valentine Corliss, a successful and attractive artist, and Imogene Willard, a spirited young woman who rejects her conventions. The novel explores their passionate and unconventional relationship and challenges the traditional boundaries of society's expectations.
"The Common Law" is notable for exploring themes related to marriage, individual freedom, and social norms. It was a controversial work at the time due to its candid discussion of love and sexuality.

Contents

CHAPTER I. There was a long, brisk, decisive ring at the door.
CHAPTER II. Spring came unusually early that year.
CHAPTER III. One day toward the middle of June Valerie did not arrive on time at the studio.
CHAPTER IV. In that month of June, for the first time in his deliberately active career,
CHAPTER V. Toward the last of June Neville left town to spend a month with
CHAPTER VI. Neville had begun to see less and less of Valerie West.
CHAPTER VII. An electric lamp was burning in the hallway;
CHAPTER VIII. Valerie was busy?exceedingly busy arranging matters,
CHAPTER IX. The world, and his own family, had always been inclined to love Louis Neville,
CHAPTER X. It was slowly becoming evident to Neville that Valerie's was the stronger character
CHAPTER XI. Valerie West was twenty-two years old in February.
CHAPTER XII. Mrs. Hind-Willet, born to the purple?or
CHAPTER XIII. He never doubted that, when at length the time came for the great change?
CHAPTER XIV. The Countess Helene had taken her maid and gone to New York
CHAPTER XV. It was barely daylight when Valerie awoke.
CHAPTER XVI. On the morning of the first day of June Neville came into his studio
CHAPTER XVII. The fifteenth day of her absence had come and gone
CHAPTER XVIII. Helene d'Enver had gone back to the country,