10 SEPTEMBER 1898, Page 25

When a Maiden Marries. By Andrew Deir. (Digby, Long, and

Co.)—Though Andrew Deir describes scenes well, and has some good characters who talk well, the complete absence of any plot or central motive running through this story prevents any real interest being taken in it. Certain scenes are even powerfully written, but exactly what they all tend to, or what he and she are driving at, we are unable to state. There is a curious want of form about the construction of the story which would seem to indicate that the author could tell a short story based on a single strong situation better than a long one requiring a continuous thread of purpose