28 SEPTEMBER 1907, Page 21

The Narrow Margin. By Annie Thompson. (Sisley's. 6s.)— This is

a story of which the greater part takes place in Sydney. The interest of the book is mostly in the pictures of three women, —first, the heroine, Elinor Fairfax ; secondly, an hysterical young woman called Fanny, of whom she had charge ; and thirdly, Mrs. Mark White, a fast and brilliant society woman who has her home in Sydney. The fault in the construction of the book is that the chief interest oscillates between Fanny and Elinor too rapidly, and it is difficult for the reader to sustain his attention when the central figure is suddenly and completely changed. The pictures of Australia are interesting, and the beauties of Sydney and its harbour are brought home very clearly to the mind of the reader.