Exton Manor. By Archibald Marshall. (Alston Rivers. 6s.)— Mr. Marshall
has written nothing better than this, and we might say nothing nearly so good. It is the story of the disturbing per- sonality of a grande dame impinging upon the lives of a group of country people among whom she has come unexpectedly to live. We say "country people" because most of them belong properly to the country, though they are not rustics. They are well-bred people leading an unruffled life, and the first impact of the interfering dictatorial lady comes with the shock of an earthquake. The quietness of the life has to he presented with some skill to give any point to the consternation. It is exactly in this that Mr. Marshall has sueceeded. He persuades us of the real import- ance of trifles. The story has not a great sweep or breadth, but in its own Trollopian way it is really excellent. We believe in the two lack-lustre friends who will not admit to them- selves or to one another that they are in love with the pretty
widow, and we acknowledge that they have lost her deservedly when she is captured by the son of the gran& dame ; we believe in the hullabaloo about the High Church views of the vicar, and in the self-deceiving rectitude of the vicar's wife; and we believe in the City magnate who rents the Exton shooting, and finds time to be a very good fellow besides being a magnate and a man of fashion. The dialogue is good, because perfectly natural and appropriate to the circumstances. The observation is close and accurate. We heartily recommend this calming book to a bustling age.
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