24 SEPTEMBER 1904, Page 20

Hearts are Trumps. By Sarah Tytler. (John Long. 6s.)— Although

this is quite a readable little story, it is not the best work of which "Sarah Tytler" is capable. The gruff old Judge, who is finally softened by the charming character of his second wife, is, to tell the truth, rather a conventional figure, and the same must be said of the wife. Harriet, the Judge's daughter, is the most original character in the book, and the description of her surprise and disgust when she finds that the clandestine marriage which is the unhappy secret of her invalid sister is only unhappy because the young lady dare not acknowledge it, is amusingly true to human nature. Next time "Sarah Tytler" writes of the highest legal circles she had better employ counsel to instruct her in the proper titles of her characters. Then she will avoid the mistake of alluding to a Judge of the High Court as "Judge Peignton," and of describing his pleasure on addressing his wife for the first time as "My Lady" when he himself has been raised to the dignity of a Lord of Appeal.