An eccentric old man gathers his nieces and nephews in order to choose an heir.
Frances Milton Trollope (1779-1863), mother of Anthony Trollope, Thomas Adolphus Trollope, and Cecilia Frances Tilley, and sister of Henry Milton, and mother-in-law of Frances Eleanor Trollope, wrote over 30 novels between 1835 and 1856. Here she provides a good comic plot and an entertaining variety of characters, especially the deliciously repulsive heroine.
“The principal portraitures of people, and sketches of manners, drawn by Mrs. Trollope, are so human and natural, that they ever come pleasingly home to the feelings of her readers.” Literary Gazette, April 2, 1842
“Mrs. Trollope never objects to peep into the pantry, to gossip with a comfortable old housekeeper, or to intrigue with an astute lady’s maid, and here she is particularly strong in life below stairs.” Her plot “will excite a strong interest.” Athenaeum, April 9, 1842
“Excellent as Mrs. Trollope has always proved herself in pourtraying human character, its varieties and eccentricities, she has been more than usually successful in her delineation of the Ward of Thorpe-Combe. . . . The attention of the reader is never allowed to flag, or to become weary.” Gentleman’s Magazine, July. 1842
Download this week’s novel here:
https://books.google.com/books?vid=BL:A0017528094 (1-volume Paris ed.)