Eline Vere

Have you heard what happened to Eline? Everyone is talking about her! You too can find out what this is all about.

Summary

When we meet her she is acutely aware of the pressure to conform to the strict rules and customs of what she views as the stifling society in The Hague. This is exacerbated by the fact that she, being an orphan, is living with her married sister Betsy.

Betsy and Eline could not be more different. Betsy is plain looking, down to earth, materialistic and knows exactly what she wants. Eline, a waif-like, elegant creature is over-sensitive, prone to depression and easily gives in to her latest fancy. She loves her music and forever doubtful of making the right decision.

But taking a decision is what she has to. Everyone expects a girl her age to marry or rather be married already. So when Otto, a handsome though poor baron and a ‘perfect match’, falls in love with her, it is impossible to refuse him.

To her surprise she grows to love him and through him gets her first experience of happy family life- something she has never experienced herself.

However, a new obsession comes along in the form of her beloved but sickly cousin Vincent. He is someone who has broken free from traditional society which is something Eline would love to do too.

Is Vincent in love with her? Soon Eline is her worrying, doubting self again and knows she has to make a new decision.

She tries to walk away from it all by travelling through Europe but she discovers that you can never travel away from yourself.

Finally, when she thinks it is too late, another suitor arrives in the form of Lawrence St Clare, the dependable and sensible American and Vincent’s best friend.

Will she make the right decision, find happiness and go her own way?

Read Eline Vere to find the answers.

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