The Bell and the Arrow. By Mrs. W. H. Chesson
(Nora Hopper). (T. Werner Laurie. 6s.)—In spite of a good many touches of poetry in this book (which, if we are not mistaken, is "Nora Hopper's" first attempt at writing a regular novel), it must reluctantly be admitted that it is rather unsatisfactory. It is not quite certain whether Ulrica Dawn or Margaret Butler is intended to be the heroine, though the latter certainly fills the role of the capricious but fascinating beauty. She is, however, a little too capricious and cold-blooded for the reader to feel the charm which subjugates the other characters. The portrait of Mrica, on the other hand, is rather grey and cold ; and though there is nothing to be wished for as regards the beauty of her character, she is not very attractive. The mad lady (whose nickname, "Miss Dollars," is singularly inappropriate), while she gives a touch of weirdness to the book, stands outside the story, and seems to have been dragged in just for the sake of introducing an effective figure. She certainly gives shelter to the tramp who is the mother of the hero ; but she might have done that just as well had she been sane. It must not be thought from the above criticism that the book is unreadable. This is not the case, for the setting of the story contains much charm ; but The Bell and the Arrow is, as a whole, a little disappointing in view of the standard which "Nora Hopper's" verses have set.
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