My Contemporaries in Fiction by David Christie Murray

In an article intended for this series and set under this lady's name (an article now suppressed, and therefore to be re-written), I fell into an error which appears to have been shared by several of the critics who dealt with what was then the latest of her books, 'The Sorrows of Satan,' I assumed Miss Corelli to have drawn her own portrait, as she sees things, in the character of 'Mavis Clare. ' This belief has been expressed -- so it turns out -- by other people, and I learn that Miss Corelli has authoritatively denied it 'She objects very strongly,' so says an inspired defender, 'to a notion which was started by one of the most distinguished of her interviewers, and absolutely denies the assertion that she described herself as "Mavis Clare" in "The Sorrows of Satan. " Miss Corelli, of course, knows the truth about this matter, and nobody else can possibly know it, but it is at least permissible to examine the evidence which led many separate people to the same false conclusion.

'Mavis Clare' and Marie Corelli own the same initials, and until the fact that this was a mere fortuitous chance was made clear by Miss Corelli herself it seemed natural to suppose that an identity was coyly hinted at. 'Mavis Clare' is a novelist, and so is Miss Corelli. 'Mavis Clare' is _mignonne_ and fair, 'is pretty, and knows how to dress besides,' is a 'most independent creature, too; quite indifferent to opinions,' All these things, as we learn from many sources, are true of Miss Corelli also. It is said of Miss Corelli herself that 'dauntless courage, a clear head, and a tremendous power of working hard without hurting herself have helped her to make a successful use of her great gift. She is not afraid of anything. She "insists on herself," and is unique,' It is to be noted that all this is said by Miss Corelli of 'Mavis Clare,' Miss Corelli is at war with the reviewers. So is 'Mavis Clare,' Miss Corelli's books circulate by the thousand. So do 'Mavis Clare's.'