Foiled. By the Hon. Mrs. Henniker. a vols. (Hurst and
Blackett.)—The opening chapters of this novel show much pro- mise. The description of Frank Heseltine and his surroundings is touched with much skill. We recognise the hereditary literary gift; but we are bound to say that the story is a deplorable dis- appointment. If Mrs. Henniker has nothing better to write about than the profligate men and intriguing or foolish women who supply the characters in her story, her pen had better remain idle. That a man is immoral seems to be taken for granted. Frank Ileseltine, the hero, a man of honour and good feeling, is no better than his friends ; if a woman is not, it scorns to be for want of opportunity rather than of will. If the society in which Mrs. Henniker's dramatis personle play their parts is really such as she describes it, a revolution that should sweep it off the face of the earth would not be a thing to be regretted.
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