William Merritt Chase, Portrait of Miss Frances V. Earle
A New York heiress is courted by various young men.
Robert Grant (1852-1940) wrote some fifteen novels, of which the last appeared in 1931. This was his first, a light-hearted representation of the sad quandaries facing a fashionable young woman of the period.
“Mr. Grant writes without affectation, and appears to know New York society well; his book is decidedly attractive and lively.” Athenaeum, October 29, 1881
“The naïve account which the young lady gives of her triumphs is exceedingly amusing. . . . Very lifelike and amusing are her incidental sketches of the four gentlemen who specially honour her by their preference.” Spectator, November 5, 1881
A contrasting view:
“It is a long time since we met with a book—if, indeed, this is not entirely by itself—which credited our fair American cousins with so much vulgarity and so many little petty intrigues.” Academy, February 26, 1881
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