12 DECEMBER 1896, Page 25

The Romance of Mary Bain. By C. H. Cochran-Patrick. (J.

S. Virtue.)—If the motive of Mary Sain's story is somewhat weak, it is one that has taken place in real life,—i.e, the entrapping of a, woman into a marriage by means of a practical joke. Her life as a governess is cleverly told, and the chance meeting which helps to end her sad story is well worked in. She is decidedly an interesting character, and so is her eldest pupil. The governess in real life with a love-story is rather a bother, and we should fancy one with a secret marriage as welt a very great nuisanco indeed. However, in the abstract and on paper such a romantic individual is more interesting than disturbing, and we read with sympathy of her misfortunes. The Romance of Mary Bain is distinctly readable.