16 FEBRUARY 1924, Page 20

Princess Bibesco's new book, though somewhat imperfect, shows her as

having advanced a good deal since she wrote Balloons. There is something enjoyable, as well as naive, about the atmosphere of beautiful houses, exquisite clothes and "chief seats at feasts" generally enjoyed by her characters. Besides, social manners and customs are always of interest when they have been accurately observed. Genuinely witty dialogue, too, constantly compensates us for blurred grammar. The book, with its complicated love interest, makes pleasant light reading, and for the most part moral laxity remains just out of sight. A word must be said for Messrs. Hutchinsons' pretty binding.