FAIR EXCHANGE. By Grant Richards. (Heinemann. 7s. 6c1.)—This is a
curiously disjointed novel. New characters frequently appear, only to vanish completely from the scene ; and the various phases through which the hero himself passes have little connexion. Roger Marsden is a wealthy man about town, who has advantageously sold a good business at the imperious bidding of his vain and selfish wife, Viola, who rewards him by absconding with another man. Roger, apparently by way of calming his nerves, enjoys a night's adventure with a chance girl companion in Paris, but, his own infidelity being kept secret, he succeeds in divorcing Viola. Returning to England, he meets Alan Mortimer, a young picture dealer, who has had- a business disappointment in Paris and is in urgent need of twenty-five thousand pounds. Out of whinr, Roger gives him the money, and later becomes involved in some big picture deals, making large profits for himself and helping Alan to outwit two admirably delineated Jews. Finally, he starts -an -agency for helping all kinds of deserving and undeserVing people in distress, and marries his sensible and virtuous young secretary. But, if his plot is strange, Mr. Richards has given us a very readable story. He knows how to present a scene vividly ; his writing is always distinguished ; he is wise in the ways of the world ; and his cynical yet tolerant
humour never fails him. - "-
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