MISS WELBY AT STEEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19013, 7 March 1930, Page 8

MISS WELBY AT STEEN.

A Week-End Book.

By

Archibald Marshall.

Written for the “Star” by

E. J. BELL.

The “ Star ” ha? arranged with Mr E. J. Bell, librarian to the Canterbury Public Library, to write a weekly book review dealing with a Book of the Week which has come under his notice. This weekly book review will appear in each Friday’s “ Star.”

Archibald Marshall, known as the novelist of English country life, was born in the year 1566. After leaving Cambridge he entered a city office, but later on decided to study for the Church. He did not take Holy Orders, but he came to know much about the lives of vicars and curates and their wives. His books rarely contain anything sensational. Of course, he does have bad folks in them sometimes, but he does not use these people as a sensational novelist would. Usually, his characters are composed of ordinary people, mostly those in the English country districts. Some of his books are: “Sir Harry,” “Anthony Dare,” and “ The Graftons.” Recently he wrote “Miss Welby at Steen.” This is the story of Ellen Welby, charming, twenty-three, and possessing a good education, and who desires to become a novelist. In order to gain a different aspect in life Ellen decides to secure a position as governess in a private family. She is eventually engaged to teach the two little daughters of Colonel and Lady Isabelle Bastian at their large country house “ Steen.” Miss Welby was lucky, she was soon popular with the family, and the life of ease suited her very much indeed. Rather interesting and also amusing is the description of the servants and their life in this country house. Soon, the eldest son, Thomas, arrives home and also Sylvia, the eldest daughter. Thomas is a typical young army officer and is soon on familiar terms with the charming Ellen. He was three years younger than she, but this did not prevent him ppoposing to her: “ I loved you from the first moment I saw you, or if not the first, well then, the second.” Ellen, however, liked Thomas immensely but she did not love him; she realised .that she was not of his class. There nftotild be lots of difficulties in her way if she accepted him. On the other hand Thomas admitted that he was no snob, and that he could see no obstacles. Ellen might -have jumped at the offer, some girls would have done so, but she did not want to take advantage of him. She was faced with a problem, she had seen other marriages turn out failures and yet she knew that as far as Thomas was concerned, if she married him she -would be spared for the rest of her life from all doubts and fears which many women have to bear; she would be wealthy. Then she made her decision. It is just at this period she makes a discovery: she overhears a conversation between Lady Isabelle and one of the guests, Colonel Moultrie. Here was a crisis. She is, however, of too fine a quality to let this thing go on. She sees that what is about to happen will involve the happiness of the whole family and so she very pluckily tackles the Colonel and in the end emerges successfully. Readers will admire Ellen Welby, she is a character that one does not easily forget. The story describes country house life in England a few years after the war, and it is a novel to read and enjoy.