• CORDIAL RELATIONS Cover
      by LovelyMay The chapter titled "Cordial Relations" in "Dolly Dialogues" unfolds with the narrator, presumably Mr. Carter, visiting Miss Dolly Foster to present a symbolic piece of jewelry for her marriage to Lord Mickleham. The gift, a broken pearl heart adorned with rubies and diamonds, ingeniously symbolizes his feelings about her upcoming nuptials. The dialogue quickly shifts as Dolly, seemingly unfazed by the emotional weight of the gift, steers the conversation towards the various letters of congratulation she…
    • Chapter

      RETRIBUTION

      RETRIBUTION Cover
      by LovelyMay In "Retribution," the narrator, Mr. Carter, recounts a humorous altercation resulting from a series of misunderstandings and social faux pas involving Miss Dolly Foster and her fiancé, the Earl of Mickleham, intertwined with the disapproval of the Earl's mother, Lady Mickleham. The chapter opens with Carter's resolve to be more cautious in his actions and particularly vigilant about Dolly Foster's antics, hinting at her playful, if somewhat reckless, disposition. Carter is summoned by Lady Mickleham,…
    • THE PERVERSENESS OF IT Cover
      by LovelyMay In the chapter "The Perverseness of It" from "Dolly Dialogues," a conversational interlude unfolds between Mr. Carter and Miss Nellie Phaeton during a drive through the Park. Their dialogue, marked by wit and subtle revelations, navigates through themes of love, marriage, social standings, and personal desires against societal norms. Miss Phaeton's gusto and Mr. Carter's cautious charm underscore a societal critique veiled in humor and irony. They debate the romanticized concept of love versus the…
    • A MATTER OF DUTY Cover
      by LovelyMay In this chapter of "Dolly Dialogues," the narrator, Mr. Carter, is summoned by Lady Mickleham, née Dolly Foster, fresh from her honeymoon, for a confidential consultation. The conversation gently orbits her adjustment to marriage and the weighty expectations set by her in-laws, with an emphasis on the peculiar and mildly onerous traditions of becoming a part of her husband Archie’s family. Dolly candidly shares her dilemmas about adjusting to her new role, revealing her in-laws' mix of warmth and…
    • Chapter

      MY LAST CHANCE

      MY LAST CHANCE Cover
      by LovelyMay In "My Last Chance" from the "Dolly Dialogues", the narrative unfolds with Mrs. Hilary Musgrave giving the protagonist, presumably Mr. Carter, a forthright ultimatum. This represents his final opportunity to impress and engage with a suitable match, described as a very nice, pretty girl with a considerable fortune. Mrs. Hilary's patience is thin; she mandates success this time or vows to cease her efforts. The girl in question, Miss Sophia Milton, is described as possessing a slight north-country accent, a…
    • THE LITTLE WRETCH Cover
      by LovelyMay In this chapter of "Dolly Dialogues," the narrator engages in a conversation with Mrs. Hilary Musgrave about Johnny Tompkins, a young man who had been sent away with instructions to reform himself. Mrs. Musgrave immediately dismisses Johnny as "the little wretch," noting his past thefts that nearly amounted to a thousand, which briefly elevated his social standing. Mr. Carter, the narrator, explores Mrs. Musgrave's awareness and opinion on the matter, revealing that despite Johnny's respectable family…
    • AN  EXPENSIVE  PRIVILEGE Cover
      by LovelyMay "An Expensive Privilege" opens with the narrator recounting a particularly uncomfortable situation involving Mrs. Hilary Musgrave and Lady Mickleham, which pits the former's disapproval against the latter. The narrator, surprised by Mrs. Hilary's attitude given her usual broad sympathies and good looks, dives into the history of their discord. The issue began when Mrs. Hilary, unable to attend a gathering due to illness and a visiting cousin, had asked Lady Mickleham (Dolly) to chaperone Miss Phyllis at…
    • A  VERY  DULL  AFFAIR Cover
      by LovelyMay In "A Very Dull Affair" from the "Dolly Dialogues," the narrative unfolds at Mrs. Hilary Musgrave's house, where the narrator finds himself in company with Mrs. Hilary, her husband Hilary, and little Miss Phyllis. The chapter begins with Mrs. Hilary challenging the narrator's skepticism regarding real love by affirming her exclusive affection for her husband, Hilary. The discussion quickly shifts to reminiscences of how Hilary and Mrs. Hilary met and fell in love, shared in a manner that leaves little Miss…
    • STRANGE,  BUT  TRUE Cover
      by LovelyMay During a luncheon at Oxford with his cousin George, an animated and usually jovial member of the university, the narrator is first struck by George's unusual silence and dejected mood. After the meal, as they stroll through the Park, George reveals to his cousin, whom he addresses fondly as "Sam, old boy," that he is miserably in love, prompting a conversation about the perplexing and paradoxical nature of his feelings. George describes being in love as both a torturous condition akin to "Hades" and yet…
    • THE VERY LATEST THING Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Very Latest Thing" from the *Dolly Dialogues*, the scene unfolds in a smoking room, where Lady Mickleham introduces Mr. Carter to her novel amusement: an album filled with people's candid opinions of her, sworn by honor to sincerity. Despite Carter's initial reluctance and their playful banter over the privacy and content of such confessions—including a teasing glimpse at the Dowager's lighthearted criticism and a firm refusal to let Carter see Archie's presumably fond remarks—the dialogue…
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