The Glad Heart. By E. Maria Albanesi. (Methuen and Co.
6s.)—A drama can scarcely be counted a success if the dramatist does not make it quite clear who is to be regarded as the hero or heroine. Margaret Manlier is, we presume, the "glad heart," for she preserves an indomitable cheerfulness, in the world and in her home, however adverse her circumstances,—the last thing that we hear her say is, "Of course I had to pop my pearls." But Ellen Temple is the principal character. It is her struggle with life that really interests us. And then, as if further to perplex us, the author gives us as a frontispiece the picture of a certain "Mary," Margaret's eldest daughter, the best and nicest of children, it is true, but not a heroine. But, however this may be, The Glad Heart is an excellent story. The rival heroines, if we may so describe them; Richard Franley, brother of Margaret and, as he becomes almost against his will, lover of Ellen, reserved, strong, and dominated by the sense of duty ; the wilful Lord Norchester ; Lady Norchester, the lowly born woman whom he has married,—are all fine studies. Minor characters, too, notably Margaret's three children, are well drawn. Madame Albanesi has never, we think, done better.
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