A Mere Flirtation by Ruth Lamb
"A Mere Flirtation" by Ruth Lamb is a cautionary tale about the consequences of thoughtless flirtation and the impact it can have on genuine relationships. The story centers around Jeannie Bellew, a young woman who, despite being an heiress and the object of much attention, engages in a superficial engagement with Jack Corry, a well-liked and sincere young man. Jeannie, who has returned from the Riviera with a more worldly and flirtatious demeanor, does not truly care for Jack but enjoys the attention and status his affection brings her. Meanwhile, Norah Guiness, a true-hearted and modest girl, silently suffers as she had genuine feelings for Jack, who had previously shown interest in her. Jeannie's engagement to Jack is more about her vanity and desire for admiration than any real affection. Her actions are driven by a selfish need to be the center of attention, without regard for the emotional cost to others. Jack, captivated by Jeannie's charm, neglects his budding relationship with Norah, only to be heartbroken when Jeannie reveals her lack of genuine interest and ends the engagement. The story highlights the emotional turmoil and damage caused by Jeannie's flirtation. Jack, devastated by the realization of Jeannie's insincerity, falls into despair and ultimately dies from illness exacerbated by his emotional state. Norah, despite her own heartbreak, remains compassionate and forgiving, caring for Jack in his final days. Jack's death leaves a lasting impact on Norah, who inherits his wealth but remains unmarried, her heart seemingly buried with him. Jeannie, on the other hand, continues her life seemingly unaffected, using Jack's death to garner sympathy and attention from new admirers. The narrative serves as a moral lesson on the dangers of flirtation without genuine intent, illustrating how such behavior can lead to the destruction of trust and the loss of true love. The story warns against the superficiality and selfishness of flirtation, urging readers to value sincerity and honesty in relationships.
By Ruth Lamb · First published 1892 · Genre: Romance, Tragedy, Historical Fiction · 3 chapters · 12,147 words
First lines
"IT seems strange that Dr. Connor should advise your going away again in such lovely weather, and from a place to which other people come in search of health. He might let you have a little peace."
So spoke Norah Guiness to Jeannie Bellew, an only child, a probable heiress, and the object of enough thought, care, and indulgence to spoil a much finer nature than she was gifted with.
What this Textopian page supports
A Mere Flirtation is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ruth Lamb, dated 1892 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Ruth Lamb
- Date: 1892 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Tragedy, Historical Fiction, Drama, Social Commentary
- Length: 12,147 words
- Structure: 3 chapters, 198 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for A Mere Flirtation by Ruth Lamb
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Romance — The narrative centers on love triangles, affectionate entanglements, and the emotional consequences of flirtatious behavior.
- Tragedy — The story's heartache, loss, and the ultimate demise of a cherished character underline a tragic arc.
- Historical Fiction — The work is set in a distinct past era with detailed social customs and period-specific settings.
- Drama — Intense interpersonal conflicts, moral dilemmas, and emotional upheaval drive the narrative.
Tags
romance · erotica · seduction · flirtation · intimacy · passion · desire · attraction · adult romance · mature relationships · sensuality · provocative