The Princess Aline

"The Princess Aline" by Richard Harding Davis is a novel likely written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around Morton Carlton, an accomplished portrait painter from New York City, whose life takes an unexpected turn when he becomes enamored with Princess Aline of Hohenwald after seeing her photograph. This fascination leads him on an adventurous quest to meet her, navigating the complex world of royalty and his own romantic ideals. At the start of the novel, Carlton is portrayed as a charming and somewhat whimsical character, a man of privilege with a humorous but earnest desire to find love beyond societal expectation. He is introspective and grapples with what love means to him, often comparing his unfulfilled romantic exploits to the ideals of knightly quests. As he prepares for his journey to Europe, he reflects on his perceptions of women and love, all while becoming increasingly fixated on the elusive Princess Aline. The narrative weaves through Carlton's thoughts and musings, setting the stage for a romantic pursuit that promises both comedy and dramatic moments in his interactions with the princess and those around him. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Richard Harding Davis was an American journalist and writer of fiction and drama, known foremost as the first American war correspondent to cover the Spanish–American War, the Second Boer War, and World War I. His writing greatly assisted the political career of Theodore Roosevelt. He also played a major role in the evolution of the American magazine. His influence extended to the world of fashion, and he is credited with making the clean-shaven look popular among men at the turn of the 20th century.