AustLit

A widow is finally reunited with the true love of her youth but imperceptibly he falls in love with her daughter - and the mother sacrifices her own feelings for theirs. Simple; avoids total cliche, has a touch of pathos. (PB)

Account of a young nobleman's sagacity in winning the unknowing consent of his fiancee's father to their marriage. Anecdote of late 17th Century Scotland. (PB)

An Englishman and an Irishman travelling together in Europe spend several weeks in Paris where Pat falls in love with a pretty French girl. She refuses his proposal and Bob goes to visit her too. They part and accidentally meet again in Rome, she dying. They confess their love but it is too late. Setting and Irish companionship only unusual features of this slight romance. (PB)

A theology student's revenge on a recalcitrant professor from the pulpit. (PB)

Description of a typical Russian wolf hunt and a narrow escape. (PB)

A lion-tamer agrees to separate a mother from the daughter his client wishes to marry. His plan to make them jealous of each other secures the lion-tamer not only his bet but the daughter as well. Humorous English domestic romance. (PB)

Anecdote of repartee in a men's club. (PB)

A repeat of the first ever 'Detective's Album' tale, with different introduction, e. g., mentions photographs not just portraits, but essentially the same story. An Englishman comes to the diggings in search of his brother and through assistance of Mark Sinclair discovers his murdress in the dark landlady of the Bridge Hotel with her murderously fitted up red room. (PB)

Impressionable sketch of a baby's illness and death. Possibly appeared in a much earlier volume as well. (PB)

Romance blossoms at Ilfracombe in Devon but the well-placed lies of a scheming rival separates the lovers. Maud marries the rival and she and Gerald discover his plots too late - Gerald emigrating to set up a company branch in Australia. When her husband is accused of a large bank swindle, she earns her living teaching music at Brighton and he migrates to Australia where Gerald assists him until news of his death at Ballarat frees Gerald to return to England. Well written though not outstanding tale. (PB)

On the immensity of the question and the variety of cats and answers.

The narrator is invited to follow a man he has noticed pass his office window for several years - and finds himself locked in with a mad inventor determined to torture him. Escape from madman genre; competent and bizarre in places. (PB)

Romance of an orphan boy who rises from a tramp to a wealthy lawyer, revenging himself on the banker who refused him assistance as a boy by saving his bank and revealing his identity. Only then is he free to court the banker's beautiful daughter. Unexceptional but competent. (PB)

On bringing up boys - not by indulgences but responsibility and work. (PB)

A contented bachelor's sister-in-law schemes with her husband to find him a wife. Inviting a visitor one evening, they leave them alone together with the baby. Pleasant domestic romance with a spice of humour. Insight. (PB)

England's Chancellor solves a poor curate's request for extra income.

A traveller's tale to his sister of the beautiful Prussian wife of a gambler, and her murder and his suicide for a last gambling stake. Evocative description. (PB)

A guest is mistaken for a new male cook and proceeds to prepare a delicious dinner. Misunderstanding leads to comedy and romance. Pleasant; unusual portrait of a domestically capable and obliging gentleman. (PB)

An elderly invalid invites two young people to stay with her, both of them recently disappointed in love. After explaining privately to each one that they need fear no advances from the other she leaves youth and companionship to take its course ... Pleasant. (PB)