Charles Aubury, a young man of independent means, on revisiting
after the War " Starlings," the country house of a cousin, falls in love with Melita Founde, the beautiful ward of his hostess. He is moved to this principally by indignation at the boycotting of the girl by the whole party at Starlings," where she has recently been received back from motives of compassion after the birth and death of her illegitimate child. After their marriage, which for various reasons very speedily takes place, an infinitely uncomfortable situation arises owing first to Aubury's misapprehension as to the identity of his wife's former lover, and secondly to Melita's belief that she has been married from motives of pity. The dis- closure of the name of the real father of her child will probably astonish the reader as much as it dpes Aubury. At any rate, it satisfactorily resolves all difficulties and puts an end to a story which, if not very strong in motive and conception, is written with considerable accomplishment.
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