The Innocent Adventuress

by Mary Hastings Bradley

"The Innocent Adventuress" by Mary Hastings Bradley is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows a young Italian girl named Maria Angelina Santonini, who embarks on a journey to America at the behest of her mother, hoping to ease the financial burdens of her family while seeking romance and adventure. Faced with societal expectations, familial duties, and her own hopes, Maria finds herself navigating a new world of possibilities. The opening of the novel presents Maria Angelina eavesdropping on a conversation within her family, where they discuss the financial struggles related to her sister's upcoming marriage. It is revealed that Maria, regarded as the family's hope for a prosperous future, is to be sent to America to meet wealthy relatives, thus potentially securing a better dowry for her sisters. As she contemplates her journey, Maria's excitement intermingles with anxiety about leaving her home and the weight of responsibility she feels. The narrative sets the stage for her adventure, highlighting her naivety and determination as she prepares to face the unknown in her new life.