Author Description

The story presents us with a group of men and women, and traces the development of the love affairs and marriages of three young men, Basil, Reggie, and Herbert. Reggie, a sleek and handsome young sensualist, much spoiled by women, ill-treats and abuses the confidence of the married woman, Mrs. Castillyon, who is unfortunate enough to trust him. Basil is a refined and amiable young man of character, who unfortunately thinks it his duty to marry his mistress, the barmaid, Jennie. She does not understand him in the least, and jealous that another woman does, she makes life odious for the wretched Basil. Herbert is a consumptive boy of genius, whom the gentle spinster, Miss Langton, the Dean's daughter, is deeply attached to, and ends by marrying, so that she may have an object in life.