CURRENT LITERATURE.
GIFT-BOOKS.
Lilian and Lai. By the Author of "Mademoiselle Mori." (A. D. Innes and Co.)—The Squire of //war disinherits his son on account of an imprudent marriage. The younger brother, after a reign of some years, is killed in a carriage accident, leaving an
only daughter who is crippled for life at the same time. Lilian Bruce sends for one of her uncle's daughters, the Lill of the story, with an idea of making her the heiress. This is found to be im- practicable. The girl, of naturally a small nature, has been still further dwarfed by the circumstances of her bringing up, and is -obviously unfit for the position. Yet she has good qualities. The picture drawn of her, of her meannesses and petty deceits, which are yet relieved by a genuine affectionateness of disposition, of her real dismay at the different surroundings in which she finds her- self, transferred as she is from a third-class pension to a stately Country.house, is both interesting and entertaining. A good love-story is worked up with the tale, and the whole is distinctly a success not unworthy of its author's reputation.
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