BLACK RENT. By Harold Begbie. (Mills and Boon. 7s. 6d.)—Mr.
Begbie (like "A Gentleman with a Duster," whom he so strongly resembles !) is very adroit in threading upon the slightest plot a series of incidents, scenes, and reflections that provide something for every taste. The hero of the present story is a hyper-sensitive brain specialist. The other main characters are his imperious wife ; his artistic and eccentric son, who is shot for " cowardice " during the War ; the beautiful daughter of an American millionaire, and the young American official in London whom she finally marries. Mention should also be made of the predatory Irish hospital matron who does not succeed in robbing the specialist of his honour, but involves him in sufficiently embarrassing diffi- culties. The Specialist, indeed, suffers misfortunes throughout the book, which concludes with the hint that through sorrow he finds God. As a serious novel, Black Rent fails. But as journalistic impressionism, it is vivid, vigorous, and always readable.
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