Love in Idleness

Name: Love in Idleness
Author: F. Marion Crawford

Louis Lawrence, a young American artist recently returned from three years in Paris, travels by steamer to Bar Harbour to spend a fortnight with the three Miss Miners (Cordelia, Elizabeth, and Augusta), spinster cousins who are keeping house that summer for Fanny Trehearne while her parents are away at Karlsbad. On the boat he describes the Miner sisters dismissively to his acquaintance Professor Knowles, while privately his real reason for coming is his growing love for Fanny herself, a tall, plain-featured, self-possessed, and outspoken young woman skilled at riding, sailing, and managing people. Fanny meets him at the pier and drives him to the house, teasing him bluntly about his inability to ride, sail, or drive, and warning him not to be "a spoilt baby." Over tea their sparring is interrupted by the arrival of Roger Brinsley, a strikingly athletic, self-assured Canadian who is idolized by the three Miss Miners and who Lawrence instantly and instinctively dislikes, suspecting him as a rival for Fanny. Over the following days Lawrence observes that Brinsley, though charming and accomplished at every physical pursuit, is regarded with suspicion by other men at Bar Harbour, is known to gamble heavily, and has apparently been losing badly. During a sail with Fanny, Lawrence is struck on the head by the boom and faints from a mild heart irregularity he says he has; Fanny, visibly frightened, cares for him and gets the boat safely home. At dinner that evening, Fanny publicly exposes Brinsley's claim to have served in the English navy as false, catching him in a lie about nautical terms, and afterward tells her cousin Cordelia she knows Brinsley is untruthful. In a private moonlit conversation, Cordelia—clearly nursing a hopeless, painful attachment to Brinsley—defends him, but breaks down admitting the absurdity of "being in love" at her age. Fanny's manner toward Lawrence softens; on a walk in the woods she confesses she had briefly liked Brinsley before catching him in small deceptions, and the two half-jokingly agree to "play a game" of flirtation, with marriage to the winner as the mock forfeit, given Lawrence has only a week left. The next day, while riding with Brinsley, Fanny's horse bolts after a coach's horn frightens it; Lawrence, sketching nearby, rushes down the hillside and recklessly seizes the bridle, being dragged along the ground until the horse stops, saving Fanny at great personal risk. Fanny is deeply affected, though she outwardly credits it only as a point scored in their "game." Brinsley, visibly diminished by comparison and increasingly cornered by his gambling debts and Fanny's contempt, announces he will soon leave Bar Harbour. That evening, boating parties go out to watch fireworks near the Canoe Club. Fanny comforts the heartbroken Cordelia, then rejoins Lawrence in a skiff. Beneath a bridge, away from the others, their bantering escalates into a mock "proposal" she prompts him to rehearse for future use—but when he asks in earnest, she answers "yes" in earnest as well, both realizing simultaneously that the game has become real, and Fanny admits she has "lost." The text provided ends at this point, with the two having declared their love for each other; Brinsley's departure, his financial schemes, and any further resolution are not covered in the excerpt.

By F. Marion Crawford · First published 1903 · Genre: Romance, Literary Fiction, Social Commentary · 11 chapters · 38,165 words

First lines

"I'm going to stay with the three Miss Miners at the Trehearnes' place," said Louis Lawrence, looking down into the blue water as he leaned over the rail of the _Sappho_, on the sunny side of the steamer. "They're taking care of Miss Trehearne while her mother is away at Karlsbad with Mr. Trehearne," he added, in further explanation.

"Yes," answered Professor Knowles, his companion. "Yes," he repeated vaguely, a moment later.

What this Textopian page supports

Love in Idleness is listed on Textopian as a novel by F. Marion Crawford, dated 1903 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: F. Marion Crawford
Date: 1903 CE
Language: English
Genres: Romance, Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Coming-of-Age, Drama
Length: 38,165 words
Structure: 11 chapters, 905 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

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Work identity for Love in Idleness by F. Marion Crawford
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Love in Idleness?
How does this novel by F. Marion Crawford fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Romance first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Romance — The central plot revolves around the romantic relationship between Louis Lawrence and Fanny Trehearne, exploring themes of love, attraction, and social dynamics.
Literary Fiction — The novel features rich character development, intricate dialogue, and a focus on the inner lives of the characters, typical of literary fiction.
Social Commentary — The narrative critiques social norms and the roles of women, particularly through the characterization of the Miss Miners and their societal expectations.
Coming-of-Age — The protagonist, Louis Lawrence, experiences personal growth and self-discovery as he navigates his feelings for Fanny and his aspirations as an artist.