He that will not when he may; vol. I

"He that will not when he may; vol. I" by Mrs. Oliphant is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around the Markham family at their estate, Markham Chase, during the Easter holidays, as they transition from a fashionable gathering of high society to a quieter, more domestic existence. Central characters include Lady Markham, her son Paul, and an unexpected and somewhat controversial visitor, Mr. Spears, who challenges the family's social standing and beliefs. The opening of the novel introduces the readers to the serene life at Markham Chase, characterized by innocence and familial warmth, particularly through the interactions of Lady Markham and her children. However, this idyllic scene is interrupted by the return of Paul, who introduces Spears, a man whose presence causes tension due to his radical views on equality and society. The interactions hint at underlying discord and the beginning of societal challenges that may disrupt the family's comfortable existence, setting the stage for conflicts regarding class and ideology that will likely develop throughout the narrative. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant was a Scottish novelist and historical writer, who usually wrote as Mrs. Oliphant. Her fictional works cover "domestic realism, the historical novel and tales of the supernatural".