Project Gutenberg's The Love Affairs of an Old Maid, by Lilian Bell

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org

Title: The Love Affairs of an Old Maid

Author: Lilian Bell

Release Date: July 11, 2007 [EBook #22047]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LOVE AFFAIRS OF AN OLD MAID ***

Produced by Audrey Longhurst, Anne Storer, and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

Transcriber's Note:

The original text noted chapters as 1, 2, 3 etc. in the TOC,
and I, II, III etc. in chapter headers. These have been retained.

* * * * *

THE

LOVE AFFAIRS OF AN OLD MAID

BY
LILIAN BELL

"_Some ships reach happy ports that are not steered_"

NEW YORK
HARPER & BROTHERS PUBLISHERS

Copyright, 1893, by HARPER & BROTHERS.
_All rights reserved._

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated very fondly to my beloved family, who, in their
anxiety to render me material assistance, have offered me such diverse
opinions as to its merit that their criticisms radiate from me in as many
directions as there are spokes to a wheel.

This leaves the distraught hub with no opinion of its own, and with
flaring, ragged edges.

Nevertheless, thus must it appear before the public, whose opinion will be
the tire which shall enable my wheel to revolve. If it be favorable, one
may look for smooth riding; if unfavorable, one must expect jolts.

PREFACE

It is a pity that there is no prettier term to bestow upon a girl bachelor
of any age than Old Maid. "Spinster" is equally uncomfortable, suggesting,
as it does, corkscrew curls and immoderate attenuation of frame; while
"maiden lady," which the ultra-punctilious substitute, is entirely too
mincing for sensible, whole-souled people to countenance.

I dare say that more women would have the courage to remain unmarried were
there so euphonious a title awaiting them as that o