Leonora. By Arnold Bennett. (Chatto and Windus. tts.)— There is
something so offensive about the clandestine love affairs of a woman of forty with grown-up daughters that it is difficult
to read certain parts of Mr. Arnold Bennett's novel without 'aleeling of absolute nausea. The character of Leonora is, how- ever, cleverly drawn, but it is impossible (and for this reason the
book is rather less intolerable) to believe that a woman of this Sort would fall a victim to the particular form of passion which is
Credited to her by the author. Two people of good principle, both 'on the borders of middle age, do not suddenly fall head over sass in love, almost at first sight. Judged by this perverse and gratuitous study of modern manners, Mr. Bennett is not to be congratulated on abandoning the realm of irresponsible sensationalism in which he has already achieved considerable *access.
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