21 JULY 1923, Page 20

The Silken Scarf. By L. C. Hobart. (Edward Arnold. 7s.

6d.) A first novel about two men and one woman. The hero, like all good heroes of romance, renounces the woman he loves. The story itself is feeble, but the descriptive passages, with Malta for their theme, are so good that we have hopes that the author, realizing what are her weaknesses and strength, may in her next novel produce something mom worthy.