Tongues of Conscience by Robert Smythe Hichens is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of human nature and the power of conscience. The story follows an artist named Thor's, whose life is forever changed after a chance encounter with a mysterious woman. As Thor's relationships and emotions become increasingly entangled, he is forced to confront his own moral dilemmas and inner desires.

Hichens' writing is both eloquent and evocative, drawing readers in with vivid descriptions and insightful reflections on characters' motivations and actions. The novel explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the struggle to reconcile one's ideals with the harsh realities of the world. The complex and multifaceted characters come to life on the page, their inner conflicts and external challenges creating a rich tapestry of emotions and experiences.

Overall, Tongues of Conscience is a gripping and engrossing read that will leave readers contemplating the nature of conscience and the weight of moral decisions. Hichens' masterful storytelling and keen observations make this novel a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the depths of the human soul.

Book Description:
Tongues of Conscience (1898) is a collection of five thought-provoking stories where an innocent, but selfish, action leads to horrific consequences. Robert Hichens writes some wonderfully evocative descriptions of nature: from a raw and exposed violent seascape, to the serene and idyllic countryside “…the violets seemed to sing in odours…” , to a train pushing through the white-out of a blizzard. In Sea Change an artist with a dark secret (“…I painted for him in words, the varying colors of waves in different seas… I drowned little Jack in the sea.”) shares the details of his guilt with a priest who tells a simple white lie in an effort to save his tortured friend’s sanity. In “William Foster”, the works of an author rouses his own wife’s religious nature with a most shocking result. In The Cry of the Child a gifted but egotistic doctor is haunted by the wail of his dead baby, but finds salvation with the sacrifice of someone else’s most selfless act. In How Love Came to Professor Guildea a scientist whose research has done wonderful things for humanity, confronts the terror of finding himelf loved. And finally, in The Lady and the Beggar, a wealthy woman’s will leaves her bounty to the poor, but only after she learns a very expensive lesson. .