A Faithful Lover. By K. S. Macquohl. 3 vols. (Hurst
and Blackett.)—There have been complaints, usually from those prosaic creatures, men, of the almost universal limitation of novels to the single emotion of love; and perhaps, when lady readers are more widely educated, lady novelists will take more extensive views of human nature. Looked at from the stand-point of the present fashion, Mrs. Macquoid's new novel may be pronounced a well- deserved success. The story is fresh, and speaking without pre- judice, we would venture to say, original ; and though the interest is not very profound, the reader does not get bored or irriteted, which is more than can be said of most modern novels. The story opens in Brittany, whither has come Esau Runewick, a shy young Englishman, who meant to learn French, and really takes his first and last lesson in the art of love from the charm- ing and weak Julie de Foignies. He gains the heart of the timid girl, he conquers the father's opposition, and is utterly routed by the cool and wary French mother. Julie marries a middle.aged marquis, Esau returns to England, and after the death of his sister, who eloped with Captain Ormiston, he becomes the unwilling guardian of 40lightful Clemency, the heroine of the book. Esan's early dis- appointment has embittered him against the sex, and he has de- generated into a selfish recluse, who cannot bear to have his settled mode of life disturbed by an outspoken little girl. Clemency is sent away to London, and does not return to her uncle's until she is old enough to be the heroine of a novel, a character which she supports most eatiafactorily, though in what manner, with what trials and success, must be learnt from the pages of A Paithful Lover, as it would not be quite fair to go into the details of the ensuing complications. Mrs. Maequoid's heroine, Clemency, is a frank, pure, and natural girl, who soon lives and moves before the reader in pleasant contrast to the machine-made figures every one detests. Generally, her women are excellently, if faintly drawn ; the lines might be firmer, and the colouring of more body ; still, they are truthful and lifelike. Esau Runswiek is the best described among the men, and, indeed, Mrs. Macquoid has given thought to the sketch, so that he makes a greater impression than any other character, not excepting the boy Obadiah, who is well imagined. Though, as Chamfort said of the couplet, "Il y a des longueurs "in the story, it is easy to read, and may, per- haps, be the cause of pleasant memories.
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