Really interesting and different. The major portion of the story takes place with our heroine spending time with her mother (an actress) and the rest of her time as a "pedagogue" (governess) to the youngest Marchant sisters. Diana Forsythe believes herself to be the illegitimate daughter of a nobleman much like her mother was. Diana's mother (Flavia Forsythe) has managed to keep Diana respectable and plans to help her become a teacher after her year of experience as a governess. But these plans fall apart after Diana helps a young "provincial" aristocrat get some town polish. Sir Sabin Mallory, recently from Canada, has fallen in love with Aurora, the older sister of Diana's wards. While visiting the house (where he is looked at with ridicule by Aurora), Sir Sabin sees Diana. Having met her while visiting her mother backstage one night, he had also assisted Diana another time when she injured her ankle. Sir Sabin begs her to help him improve himself. She does so by directing him to tailors, etc... and encourages an actor friend to serve as a teacher also. Diana risks compromise by attending some assemblies and a masquerade to help him with dancing. During Sir Sabin's "come-out" at a ball given by the Marchant's, he is successful in gaining the detestable (as you come to find out) Aurora's attention. He also unfortunately draws unfavorable attention to Diana after providing her a beautiful ball gown as a gift for helping him. Of course it is really sent to her from an "aunt" but later the truth comes out. The Marchant's, believing Diana to be Sir Sabin's mistress, throw her out into the streets! Diana returns to her mother and the rest of the story follows their adventures traveling to other towns to put on plays. There is much more to the story after her time with the Marchants but I will not spoil it for you! Will Diana win Sir Sabin's love now that she realizes she has fallen for him or will he stay with Aurora? Will Flavia marry the actor she has been engaged to for a long time? Who is the mysterious aristocratic man who travels with the theater (and trained Sir Sabin in the ways of the ton)? All the characters and locals are well defined and fascinating! Read this engaging book to meet them all and find out how the story ends!
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