Ralph and Bruno. By M. Bramston. 2 vols. (Macmillan.)—If you
like to have a somewhat elaborate plot and unusual circumstances for a novel, it is as well that the elaboration should be carefully done, the plot skilfully woven, and the clinouement made something of a surprise. Reviewers are sometimes blamed for spoiling the interest of a story by indiscreet revelations. But no one could be more indiscreet in his revelations than the author of Ralph and Bruno. When Mr. Tregnire goes to see the widow whom his only son has left after but a few months of marriage, and finds her taking charge of another child besides her own, and when he has "pointed out to him the ono he had to do with," and thinks that "all babies look alike," there ean be no doubt about what is to follow. Nor, indeed, are we ever allowed to forgot it. There is a perpetual by-play going on to remind us that Ralph is not really Ralph, and Bruno is somebody else than he seems. The ill-effect of this is that everything seems unreal. The good doctor, for instance, about whose beneficial light the story, so to speak, revolves, forbids Ralph to marry, that he may not perpetuate the insanity of a doomed race. How tragical the incident, especially as he has just fallen in love, and the letter which was meant months before to warn him against such a catastrophe has perversely hidden itself in a crack in the letter- box ! But the reader is behind the scenes, and knows that Ralph ill really the son of a perfectly sane but somewhat unscrupulous old Frenchman. There is so much power shown in the book, that we could have wished this part of it better arranged. As it is, it is well worth reading. Bruno, in particular, is drawn with what seems to us a genuine
appreciation of the better side of French character. Some of the minor traits in the social life of our neighbours are hit off with much skill and no little humour.
Previous page
