The Woman (Malombra). By Antonio Fogazzaro. (T. Fisher Thswin. es.)—It
was the popularity of "The Saint" in England, we suppose, which caused Mr. Fisher Unwin to publish this revised translation of Malombra. Malombra was written twenty- five years ago, when Signor Fogazzaro was perhaps rather more poet than novelist. This is conspicuously the work of a trans- cendental mind which, after struggling some time with rational 'motives, surrenders to its natural bent, and allows various ultra' normal influences to direct the actions of the characters. The theme of the "advanced" young woman (not quite so advanced as she must have seemed a quarter of a century ago) who corre- sponds under a false name with the anonymous author whose book has entranced her is perfectly rational. We readily accept the coincidence which brings them together in the same house, and discovers them to one another. There seems to be a fair field for action arising out of character. The in- surgency, the morbidity, the misdirected romanticism of the young woman, would justify everything. But the ultra-normal influences get to work, and she behaves like a theosophist con- trolled by a Mahatma. The final Ibsenish scene is certainly thrilling,—both the ejaculated" 0, bon voyage !" as she puts the pistol to the man's head, and her desperate escape across the lake. The old Italian Count in whose castle the incidents take place is a very distinct character ; but the best figure of all, happily free from all exterior pushing and pulling, is the German secretary, with his curious mixture of secretarial obeisance and adventurous Bohemianism. The translation by Mr. F. Thorold Dickson is unusually good; but The Woman will hardly have the popularity of "The Saint," even at this second attempt.
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