Leonora

by Maria Edgeworth

"Leonora" by Maria Edgeworth is a novel published in 1806. Written in epistolary form, it tells the story of newly married Leonora who brings a controversial exile named Olivia back from France to England. Olivia, known as a "coquette," embodies French aristocratic sensibility and theatrical emotional displays that challenge English propriety. Through competing letters and perspectives, the novel critiques sensibility as hypocritical narcissism, contrasting Leonora's prudent reserve against Olivia's extravagant need for attention and moral justification of questionable behavior.