Margaret Oliphant's Miss Marjoribanks is a masterwork of Victorian social comedy and the tenth novel in her Chronicles of Carlingford series. The novel charts the triumphant social career of its irrepressible heroine, Lucilla Marjoribanks, who returns to her hometown of Carlingford after her mother's death. Determined to be a comfort to her dear Papa, the local Doctor, and to "revolutionize" Carlingford society, Lucilla sets about her mission with formidable energy and strategic genius. Her primary tool is her weekly "Thursday evening," a salon she establishes that quickly becomes the epicenter of the town's social life. Lucilla is not a conventional romantic heroine; she is ambitious, managing, and brilliantly manipulative, but always within the bounds of propriety. She expertly engineers the lives of those around her—arranging marriages, thwarting rivals, and managing financial and romantic crises—all while maintaining an air of benevolent condescension. The novel is a sharp and witty exploration of the limited power available to women in the 19th century, demonstrating how Lucilla uses the domestic sphere as her platform to wield immense influence. Her declared intention to not marry until she is "ready" drives much of the plot, as she deftly manages her various suitors. Oliphant creates in Lucilla a uniquely compelling character—a female version of the benevolent despot—whose story is a fascinating study of gender, power, and social politics in a provincial English town.

Table of Contents:

• Miss Marjoribanks. Part 1

• Miss Marjoribanks. Part 2

• Miss Marjoribanks. Part 3

• Miss Marjoribanks. Part 4

• Miss Marjoribanks. Part 5

• Miss Marjoribanks. Part 6

• Miss Marjoribanks. Part 7

• Miss Marjoribanks. Part 8

• Miss Marjoribanks. Part 9

• Miss Marjoribanks. Part 10

• Miss Marjoribanks. Part 11