Chance--------------------------------------------------no consideration, no delicacy, no tenderness, no scruples should standin the way of a woman ...from taking the shortest cut towards securingfor herself the easiest possible existence' Chance(1914) was the firstof Conrad's novels to bring him popular success and it holds a uniqueplace among his works. It tells the story of Flora de Barral, a vulnerableand abandoned young girl who is 'like a beggar,without a right to anythingbut compassion'. After her bankrupt father is imprisoned, she learnsthe harsh fact that a woman in her position 'has no resources but inherself. Her only means of action is to be what she is.' Flora'slong struggle to achieve some dignity and happiness makes her Conrad'smost moving female character. Reflecting the contemporary interestin the New Woman and the Suffragette question, Chance also marks thefinal appearance of Marlow, Conrad's most effective and wise narrator.This revised edition uses the English first edition text and has anew chronology and bibliography.