Morganatic. By Max Norden. Translated by Elizabeth Lee. (Chat° and
Windus. 6s.)—It is an unpleasant surprise at the end of this book (aimed, as the reader till then believes, against the pomps and vanities of this wicked world) to come upon the regular "Monte Cristo" type of American millionaire, and to see him carry off the heroine with the author's full approval and blessing. Till this happens, in the last chapters, the reader imagines that Nicoline, the heroine, and Siegfried, the unhappy son of a princeling's morganatic marriage, are going to marry and retire into private life, "the world forgetting, by the world forgot." Siegfried, indeed, goes into a monastery, to the great joy of his semi-affianced bride ; but Nicoline marries her million- aire, and repairs in his company to a faithful copy of "the Grand Ducal castle of Diesa," which he has caused to be erected in New York, we presume fronting Central Park, somewhere near East Seventy-seventh Street. Mr. Nordau is apparently filled with affection and esteem for the above- mentioned heroine, a sentiment which it is exceedingly difficult to share, she being decidedly an intrigante, and having a sharp eye to the main chance. It is agreeable to be able to read the book almost as easily as if the English version were the original, a pleasure we owe to the excellent translation of Miss Elizabeth Lee.
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