20 APRIL 1929, Page 29

BY CONSENT. By Mrs. Henry Dudeney. (Collins. 7s. 6d.)-This is

a strained and artificial story, redeemed only from failure by the delicate charm of much of its detail. Temperamentally, Barnabas Throssell is a poet, born out of due time. By necessity he is a journalist, who is always losing his job. He and his wife, Emma, endure seven years of married poverty, and manage somehow to make one long honeymoon of it. Then, however, an admirer of Barnabas leaves him .£2,000. He and Emma agree to live gaily for a Year, and afterwards to commit suicide. They take a Sussex manor-house, only to find that luxury brings unexpected complications and temptations. At the end of the year, needless to say they decide to go on living. But we will

not reveal the theatrical climax. Mrs. Dudeney can do better than this.