18 OCTOBER 1890, Page 26

Stephanie. By Tom Lee. (Ward and Downey.)—If we except the

exaggerated and high-flown speeches which the author puts into the mouth of some of the characters, Stephanie is a well- written and decidedly pathetic novel. Among the characters, we single out the heroine as the best; her strong, passionate, and constant nature is well delineated, and her pride is contrasted with Bertram's pride with considerable skill and success. Bertram we cannot call a success ; the circumstance of his marriage may be natural, but is inconsistent with his character. The other characters are all good and lifelike, Mrs. lktoore's being especially true to life, and perhaps the most finished in the story. The scene is laid in America and Paris, and the writer contrives, by some vivid touches of scenery, to give a picturesque background to his drama. The plot—two love-stories—is a commonplace one, but better treated than such plots usually are. In fact, Stephanie is a readable novel, and shows good qualities.