A Woman of Wiles. By Alick Munro. (Ward, Lock, and
Co. Gs.)—It is a not uncommon complaint against the tale-writer that he makes his heroes too preternaturally clever. A lad who has had six months' soldiering will conduct a difficult operation with the skill of an Alexander or a Hannibal. Mr. Munro, on the other hand, makes his hero too preternaturally foolish. The "Woman of Wiles" was, it is true, exceedingly fascinating; and a lover, or quasi-lover—Herbert Delabere has really given his heart to some one else—may return to such a charmer after having been once, or more than once, deceived, but surely he would draw the line at an attempt to murder. Even a rabbit having once escaped the fascinating snake, does not willingly put itself again within its reach. Then, also, he is extraordinarily communicative about his secret. Apart from these things, A Woman of Wiles is a brisk story, full of well-told incident, and vividly coloured, as good a thing of its kind as one may expect to meet with. But how strange the ending ! Once, when the lost treasure was found, the finder was happy ever after. Now the precious things are thrown away because they have such dark associations. Is this from a keener conscience, or from the art that prescribes a melancholy end?
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