Mr. Incoul's Misadventure

by Edgar Saltus

"Mr. Incoul's Misadventure" by Edgar Saltus is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story begins with Harmon Incoul, a wealthy widower who grapples with the aftermath of his wife's death and the expectations placed on him by society. As he navigates his loneliness and mourning, Incoul finds himself drawn to the young and spirited Miss Maida Barhyte, who is facing her own struggles concerning her family's financial decline. The opening of the narrative introduces us to Mr. Incoul, painting a picture of a man whose life is fundamentally altered by loss. His past experiences, from a rather unloving childhood to an indulgent yet unsatisfactory marriage, shape his outlook as he reluctantly re-enters the social sphere. At a gathering, he encounters Miss Barhyte, and their subsequent interactions reveal her conflicting feelings about marriage amidst her difficult domestic circumstances. As Incoul expresses a desire for companionship, Barhyte navigates familial pressures and her quest for independence, hinting at the complexities of their relationship that will unfold throughout the novel. The initial chapters set the stage for a rich exploration of societal expectations, personal desires, and the intricacies of love and sacrifice.