Molly Bawn

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22214

Title

Molly Bawn

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in rural Ireland, this romantic comedy follows Molly Bawn, a spirited and impulsive young woman who navigates the complexities of love and social expectation. When her childhood sweetheart, the soldier Tedcastle George Luttrell, unexpectedly returns after a bitter parting, Molly must reconcile her lingering feelings with her own pride. With witty dialogue, charming characters, and a heartwarming resolution, the novel offers a delightful exploration of forgiveness and enduring affection.

Summary up to 500 words

The story opens with the Massereene family at breakfast, where Mr. Massereene announces the arrival of his old school friend, Tedcastle George Luttrell, a hussar who has accepted an invitation to stay for a month. Molly, the family's vibrant and somewhat coquettish daughter, is thrilled by the prospect of flirting with the handsome soldier, while her sister-in-law, Letitia, is dismayed by the prospect of housing a stranger. Despite initial awkwardness and the family's anxiety about accommodating the guest, Molly prepares herself with great care, hoping to win his affection again. Luttrell arrives, appearing thinner and more melancholy than before, carrying the weight of a past misunderstanding. He had previously accused Molly of being unfaithful to him, a grievance that led to their engagement's collapse. Upon his return, the tension is palpable; he is cold and distant, even cruelly destroying flowers in his anger. Molly, however, refuses to let him push her away. She confronts him about his harshness and her own feelings, revealing that she has been waiting for him to return. As the days pass, the barrier between them begins to crumble. In a pivotal scene, they meet secretly in the drawing room at night. Molly, dressed in a simple nightgown, finds him writing. He confesses that he still loves her and that his previous accusations were born of fear and misunderstanding. He pleads for forgiveness, admitting he was mad when he believed he could live without her. Molly, though initially cold, eventually softens. They discuss the possibility of her marrying another man, Captain Shadwell, which Luttrell vehemently opposes, fearing she is throwing herself away on an unworthy man. The climax occurs when Molly invites Luttrell to the orchard. There, amidst the beauty of the spring garden, she confesses her love and asks him to marry her. Luttrell, moved by her sincerity and the depth of her feelings, accepts. He reveals that he had saved the diamond ring she had given him during their first engagement, which had been damaged in a fire. He has had it reset, symbolizing their renewed commitment. The novel concludes with the couple reconciling, Luttrell promising to cherish her, and Molly declaring that she could not live without him. The story ends on a note of joyful union, celebrating the triumph of true love over pride and misunderstanding.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Fiction