The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1901-05-09

brilliant and interesting past behind
him. He has broken with his political
party and given up parliament; has
written book about Palestine, and is
then engaged in Rome writing book
attacking new Italy and defending the
old papal system. Hefis young fellow
who talks a great deal, and is often
ironical; but he is very clever and
never discloses the secret of the power
which he wields over Eleanor" or Mrs.
Burgoyne, and Lucy Foster, who play
such an important part in the story.
These two women are very complex,
and not easily understood. Mrs. Bur-
goyne is of high-bred, cosmopolitan
class, full of love of spiritual things,
and with past rich in sorrow. She is
very timid, yet has confidence in her
self, and has many capacities. AL
though not pretty, she has kindly
grace which is often of more import
ance than other things; her voice and
her carriage are such as beautiful
women have often envied.
The other woman, Lucy Foster, is
young American girl of simple Puritan
up-bringing. When she is first intro
duced, we find her badly dressed, mex
perienced, fresh and very unconscious
of her beauty. 1t is her first taste of
the world play.
There are half dozen or so minor
characters who hover about. Mr.. Neal,
who has no relish for Manisty's nom
sense, Father Benecke, Aristodemo, a
regular giggling cnatterbox, who is
always talking, and Reggie Brooklyn, a
pretty boy from the Embassy. There
are also other clever characters, COM
mon in Roman society presented.
The plot is of the simplest kind and
is evolved from the troubles and clash
of affection of the three characters,
Manisty, Mrs. Burgoyne and Lucy.
In the opening we find Manisty writing
a book in Rome. Eleanor" is his
secretary and helpmate in his literary
works. The book ends with the mar
riage of Lucy and Manisty and the
death of "Eleauor."
The story is interesting from start to
finish and the language is very good
At times the characters seem almost
bloodless, the dialogue often sharp
and often all the characters probably
talk too much. Eleanor" and Lucy
both are portraits of two distinct lives
and great affection has grown up
between them, but without full con.
fdence in each other, which was too
much for Eleanor" and it led to the
sad sequel. All their troubles can
hardly be conjectured.
It is not often that fiction is sketched
in such able manner. The whole story
is Illuminated with bits of description
that enlighten, and the background is
filled in for the tragedy. A novel il
can hardly be said to be. 1t is not like
ordinary fiction. There are many parts
in which the novelist almost supplants
the historian for vivid picturing of the
condition of social life in Italy. Some
times it is even difficult to trace the
boundaries that divide romance from
history. A large part of the book
lends itself to quotations, which ART
bright and telling. Bits of wisdom
appear through scores of pages. Public
: life in Italy is described, aud man!
shrewd observations noted. There Ii
. no part of the story that wearies ano
the authors style and taste is far abov'
the ordinary; in fact it is of higf
, order. The entire construction il
, devoid of flaws and critics can no
puzzle out weak points in it. No on
who will give the story careful stud.
and is susceptible to the nobler aspect
of life can fail to be touched by il
The closing chapters are full of tender
ness, and association with things ia
, off. The book is one Of the few tina
deserves careful study. 1t is not onl,
, entertaining but instructive as we'll.
r.