The Touchstone

Stephen Glennard sells love letters written to him by Margaret Aubyn, exposing a betrayal that becomes the talk of New York society. Wharton's novella explores love and loyalty, with lessons on privacy and morality for the twenty-first century.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 80 pages
Publication date: 26 April 2024
Publisher: Dover Publications Inc.

Stephen Glennard, a New York lawyer, resorts to selling love letters written to him by the late author Margaret Aubyn to fund his upcoming wedding to his sweetheart. However, this decision comes back to haunt him and his marriage, leading to a betrayal that becomes the talk of New York society. In her signature style, Edith Wharton explores the themes of love and loyalty in this brief novella, published in 1900, which offers valuable lessons on privacy and morality for the twenty-first century.

The story begins with Stephen Glennard, a successful lawyer in New York City, who is preparing for his upcoming wedding to his sweetheart, Mary. However, he is short on funds and decides to sell the love letters written to him by the late author Margaret Aubyn. Stephen believes that these letters will fetch a high price and help him cover the expenses of his wedding.

Stephen's decision to sell the letters is met with mixed reactions from his friends and family. Some are supportive, while others are skeptical. Stephen's wife, Mary, is particularly upset by the idea, as she believes that the letters are personal and should not be sold. However, Stephen convinces her that it is a necessary step to ensure that they have a comfortable life together.

Stephen begins to sell the letters to various collectors and dealers. He receives a significant amount of money for each letter, but he soon realizes that he has made a mistake. The letters are not only personal but also contain sensitive information about Margaret Aubyn's life and relationships. Some of the letters are even explicit and contain details that could be damaging to her reputation.

As Stephen's marriage progresses, he becomes increasingly distant from Mary. He spends more time with his clients and less time with his wife. Mary begins to suspect that Stephen is having an affair, and she confronts him about it. Stephen denies the allegations, but Mary is not convinced.

One day, Stephen receives a letter from Margaret Aubyn's estate. The letter reveals that Margaret Aubyn had been in a relationship with Stephen's father before she died. Stephen is shocked and devastated by the news. He realizes that he has betrayed his wife and his father.

Stephen tries to make amends with Mary, but she is not willing to forgive him. She files for divorce, and the scandal becomes the talk of New York society. Stephen's reputation is ruined, and he is forced to move to a different city.

In the end, Stephen realizes that his decision to sell the love letters was a mistake. He had been motivated by greed and had not considered the consequences of his actions. He learns that love and loyalty are not just about money and possessions, but about the emotional connection between two people.

Wharton's novella explores the themes of love and loyalty in a unique and compelling way. The story is set in the early twentieth century, a time when social conventions and expectations were very different from today. Wharton's characters are complex and well-developed, and their relationships are portrayed with a great deal of depth and emotion.

One of the key themes of the novella is the idea of privacy. Stephen's decision to sell the letters is a violation of Mary's privacy, and it has a profound impact on their relationship. Wharton shows that privacy is not just about keeping secrets, but about respecting the boundaries of others.

Another theme of the novella is the idea of morality. Stephen's decision to sell the letters is a betrayal of his wife and his father, and it has consequences that extend far beyond his own life. Wharton shows that morality is not just about following the rules, but about making ethical decisions that are in the best interest of others.

Wharton's novella also offers valuable lessons on the importance of communication. Stephen and Mary's relationship is strained by their inability to communicate effectively. Wharton shows that communication is essential for building and maintaining healthy relationships, and that it is important to be honest and open with each other.

In conclusion, Stephen Glennard's decision to sell love letters written to him by the late author Margaret Aubyn is a mistake that has profound consequences for his marriage and his reputation. Wharton's novella explores the themes of love and loyalty in a unique and compelling way, and it offers valuable lessons on privacy, morality, and communication that are relevant to the twenty-first century.

Weight: 66g
Dimension: 127 x 203 x 7 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780486852713