A Simple Story

After its publication in early 1791, __A Simple Story__ was widely read in England and abroad, going into a second edition in March of the same year. The novel’s young heroine, Miss Milner, scandalously declares herself in love with her guardian, Dorriforth, a Catholic priest. Dorriforth returns her love and is released from his vows. Though the pair go on to marry, the second half of the novel reveals the disastrous and far-reaching consequences of Miss Milner’s subsequent adulterous affair. The critical introduction to this Broadview edition considers such issues as Catholicism, theatricality, the theatre, and the masquerade, while the appendices provide a wide selection of cultural, biographical, and literary contexts for the novel. After Its Publication In Early 1791, A Simple Story Was Widely Read In England And Abroad, Going Into A Second Edition In March Of The Same Year. The Novel's Young Heroine, Miss Milner, Scandalously Declares Herself In Love With Her Guardian, Dorriforth, A Catholic Priest. Dorriforth Returns Her Love And Is Released From His Vows. Though The Pair Go On To Marry, The Second Half Of The Novel Reveals The Disastrous And Far-reaching Consequences Of Miss Milner's Subsequent Adulterous Affair. The Critical Introduction To This Broadview Edition Considers Such Issues As Catholicism, Theatricality, The Theatre, And The Masquerade, While The Appendices Provide A Wide Selection Of Cultural, Biographical, And Literary Contexts For The Novel.--jacket. Elizabeth Inchbald ; Edited By Anna Lott. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 437-442). Dorriforth, bred at St. Omer's in all the scholastic rigour of that college, was by education, and the solemn vows of his order, a Roman Catholic priest-but nicely discriminating between the philosophical and the superstitious part of that character, and adopting the former only, he possessed qualities not unworthy the first professors of Christianity-every virtue which it was his vocation to preach, it was his care to practise; nor was he in the class of those of the religious, who, by secluding themselves from the world, fly the merit they might have in reforming mankind.