After the delicate work to which this writer has accus-
tomed her readers, the rather coarse texture of her present novel will prove a disappointment. The story of the heroine, married at an exceedingly early age, begins with a frustrated elopement and proceeds, after her half-unwilling bearing of three children,to her desertion of her husband owing to the disgrace into which his father has plunged the name of Hassell. Mary changes her name and thus brings on a final sentimental catastrophe which is rather ingeniously arranged. The book stands or falls by the amount of sympathy which the author can arouse in her weak-willed and amorous heroine. It must be owned that her personality is not made sufficiently attrac- tive to condone her conduct in the main relations of life —as wife, motber and lover.
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