AustLit

English village murder story. Coolly elegant tale of a young curate's delicately selfish approach to his duties and to his love for Christine Eliot. His detached epicurean approach to life leads him to alter his uncle, the vicar's, will, and then to plot and execute his murder. He feels obliged to clear a falsely accused poacher of the crime and sends the man to Australia. Ultimately, he evades the punishment of the law himself, but his conscience changes his manner and he loses Christine's love and finally takes his own life. Well-written. (PB)