Hester by Margaret Oliphant (1883)

In "Hester," Margaret Oliphant explores the struggles of a young woman from a wealthy banking family as she navigates societal expectations, family pressures, and her own aspirations, ultimately leading to a journey of personal growth and conflict. The story highlights the tension between duty and individual desire, particularly in the context of marriage and personal happiness.

By Margaret Oliphant · First published 1883 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Victorian Literature, Romance · 45 chapters

Contents

• Vernon'S
• Miss Catherine
• The Vernonry
• A First Meeting
• Next Morning
• Neighbours and Relations
• Settling Down
• Nineteen
• Recollections
• A Lover
• Mother and Daughter
• An Indignant Spectator
• Catherine's Opinion
• Harry's View
• What Edward Thought
• Walks and Talks
• The Young and the Old
• A Family Party
• Confidences
• Roland
• Warning
• Dancing Teas
• The First of Them
• A New Competitor
• A Double Mind
• Straightforward
• A Centre of Life
• Was it Love?
• Christmas
• The Party at the Grange
• Business and Love
• A Speculator
• A Late Visitor
• Doubts and Fears
• A Discovery
• In the Labyrinth
• Alarms
• The Crisis
• Under the Holly
• The Hour of Need
• A Night's Vigil
• Afterwards
• An Interruption
• The Settlement
• The End

More by Margaret Oliphant

• Miss Marjoribanks (1866)
• The Perpetual Curate (1879)
• A Country Gentleman and his Family (1864)
• Phoebe, Junior (1876)
• Salem Chapel (1862)
• The Rector and the Doctor's Family (1866)
• The Ladies Lindores (1874)
• All works by Margaret Oliphant