The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-21

| TnbAtsA-bSA ~"~~-~'t
not like you.
Miss RACHEL without noticing the Interrupt
tion)-Cnurchill Penwyn was q model murderer
and his wife q model murderer's wife. To think
OF woman Deing reconciled to such crime in
her husband because he argued that one crime
committed for purpose, and that purpose to en-
able him TO marry her, did not make him bad
man. She would have been less than human II
she had not died, though was sorry to lose q
character with her many charms.
FELIoIA-How conveniently the different char
acters die all through the book, by the way; II is
very thoughtful Of them
Didn't you think II was unnatural in Mrs. Ire
vanard not to believe her daughter when she told
her that she was married, The girl had never
done anything wrong In her life. What is a
blameless character good for n not to stand by
one in the hour Of needa
Miss RAcHEL-That Is oil very true; but II she
had believed her there would have been no story
to tell The whole book hinged on that episode.
FELIoIA-Tne fault OF the story to me is that
nature Is so often distorted TO make an exciting
situation. Now the most natural thing In the
world would nave been for Churchill Penwyn to
have released the old gypsy's son at nrst. as he
had TO at last. The risk run in keeping him
under arrest was too great for any man to have
dared.
tion man. who goes about the world setting
wrongs right ana making verses on the sly. He
figures in every book, and the amount Of family
history and law ne has at his tongues end Is
enough to turn the head OF an ordinary man.
FELICIA-The ending of the book is rather CON-
monplace Justina should have ended her days in
single blessedness. The circumstances OF her
first lovers death were so tragic that 1t was
wonder that she ever recovered from the shock.
Whatever faults, however, one may find with Miss
Braddon's literary style, 1t is impossible not to
acknowledge that she has certain power, and
she unquestionably has wide circle OF readers.
Miss RACHEL-Among average people, you
should add.
THE LAW AND THE LADY.
"wilkie Collins has never done anything equal
to the woman in WhIte.'" said the Doctor stand
in his iavorite position on Che rug before the
library fire.
"And the best OF the Woman In White was
Count Fosco." replied the mother.
The DOCTOR-Tn his last book, 1.-The Law and the
Lady" Harper BrOthers), he has unique, not
to say grotesque, creation in Miserrimus Dexter.
but he is such a thoroughly impossible character
chat he lacks the strength or Count Fosco. Even
for a half-mad monstrosity he is overdrawn.
Miss RACHEL-Wilkie Collins is too fond Of
writing his novels In the FIRST person. 90 not
like IL, as have had occasion to remark before.
Valera Macallan may have done herself but SIM
pie justice in her description but, nevertheless,
II sounds vain and conceited.
FELICIA-D0n't mems descriptions of women's
dress amuse you They always make their hero
tines wear "tunics," and either the plalnest or the
gayest clothes. They seem to have no idea Of good
taste in dress.
MISS RACHEL wish that Wilkie Collins would
sometimes draw good. strong. human woman.
Even valeria with all her pluck and determine
ton, Is very weak as character.
FELICIA-H0wever weak she was, her husband
was weaker. think Eustace Macallan is q per-
feet milksop. / cannot understand any woman
wasting 50 much time and energy upon him. He
was spOoney ana often maudn. To see man
cry is TO me one of the most affecting sights IN the
world but his tears were so near the surface that
he could shed them at the shortest notice; they
disguised me.
Miss acknowledgements mistrust OF her HUSBAND
In the first instance was not unnatural consider
ing upon what short acquaintance she married.
After years OF courtship people know one another
slightly enough, in all conscience.
FELICIA-lf mad loved my husband as Vaeria
seemed to love Eustace should have taken his
word that all was right and not have made the
search which for ms this story.
Miss RACHEL rather think that Valerta was
right, though l doubt n 1 should have had her
pluck.
FELICrA-There are two morals to this tale. one
of which Is that the most innocent person can be
proved guilty on circumstantial evidence and the
other u.s. don't keep letters or don't keep diary
Miss RAcHEL-Follow Talieyrand's advice, and
s'never write letter. or never burn one."
FELICIA-It Is bad enough in school girl Il
keep a diary but think there is q screw loose
rho mir in fhot noafi inn On nj
abominaDle trash as Eustace wrote was enough &c
convict him. 1 can't see now but that he wai
lust az bad as any man who loves another woman
better than his wife, His diary was an outrageous
production.
MISS RACHEL-I don't believe that 1t Is possible
for person 10 write out their honest thoughts and
feelings in diary. 1t Will certainly be seen sooner
or later and knowing that one s apt to put in the
grandtoquent
FRRD-I look upon Eustace as a mailman or 6
new kind OF idiot" as Mark Twain says.
FELICIA-valeria's disgust at the Lord Adv0
Gates speech ana admiration for that OF the Dear
OF the Faculty reminds one OF the Partially shown
by Colonel Sellers at the memorable trial OF Laurs
Hawkins.
Miss RACHEL-n Eustace only broke on Will
the pretty MRS. Beanly because she knew all about
his trial. why did he not still love herr
FRED-That Is one of the many inconsistencies
In the book OF which Mrs. Macalans conduct IL
the first part is another sample.
Miss RACHEL do not think 1t was half as bad
that the first Mrs. Eustace should have been Q
suicide as that her husband should be suspected
OF having poisoned her. How like man 1t was In
Eustace to want valeria to trust him. but to be
dreadfully hurt when she wanted him to trust her
The DoCroR-Wilkle Collins knows now to tell q
good story he never for a moment lets the read.
ers interest dag. l didn't go TO bed last night
until had finished this book, though don't alto
Rether ike IL. think it leaves bad taste IN the
mouth. The plot is very bewildering. There are
three different times when You think you have
fathomed it and find your mistake.
FELIcIA-It was impossible for me to lay the
book down I'm til l had finished 1t also.
LITERARY CHIT-CHAT.