Book excerpt: In George Moore's 'A Mere Accident,' the story is set in Thornby Place, an English countryside home owned by Mrs Norton. The novel begins with a detailed description of the house and its mix of architectural styles, and the protagonist, John Norton's, dislike of its ordered and tidy interior. The book portrays Mrs Norton as a determined woman who values order and efficiency, which is in contrast to John Norton's feelings about the house's design.