Miss Devereux, Spinster. By Agnes Giberne 2 vols. (Longmans.) —Miss
Giberne describes her tale as a "study of development." One would suppose that it was Miss Devereux that is developed. That is not the case. She is a foolish woman at first, and about as foolish at last. In fact, we do not precisely know who it is that undergoes the process. But that "a study of development" has a fine sound, Miss Devereux, Spinster, might as well have been called a " love-story." There would, of course, have been the same mistaken supposition that it was Miss Devereux that was concerned in it. There are two couples, who are a long time in coming to an understanding. In fact, one lady marries a man more than old enough to be her father ; that causes a long delay ; the other two have not to do much more than grow up. if Miss Giberne aspires to write the novel of reflection, she must give a more subtle analysis of character. The dramatis persona are fairly well drawn, and talk naturally, but their sayings—of doings there is next to nothing—do not absorb our interest.
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