19 NOVEMBER 1904, Page 8

Pierre. By Mrs. Arthur Bell. (J. M. Dent and Co.

6s. net.) —This is a charming little "story of Normandy." Pierre Lejenne is treated, by the kindness of a neighbour, to a trip to the neighbouring market town. It is a delightful journey to him, but he goes with a weight of sorrow in his heart because his sister Jeanne seems to be dying of consumption. How he offers to the Virgin his school laurel wreath, and how his prayers find an accomplishment, is the subject of this tale. It deserves the highest praise. It is contrived with much skill and in the very best taste. It would be easy to make a mistake in the telling of such a story, and to give offence either on one side or the other. Mrs. Arthur Bell deserves the greatest credit for the tact with which she has avoided the difficulty.