Book excerpt: This charming novel follows the trials and triumphs of Mildred Keith as she navigates the joys and challenges of married life. A classic of 19th-century American literature, this book offers a glimpse into a world gone by, as well as an enduring tale of love and commitment that still resonates with readers today. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.