A Fair Mystery: The Story of a Coquette

"A Fair Mystery: The Story of a Coquette" by Charlotte M. Brame is a novel likely written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around the lives of Mark and Patty Brace, who are struggling with financial difficulties while grappling with the arrival of a mysterious abandoned child they name Doris. As they attempt to reshape their lives around this beautiful girl, the narrative delves into themes of love, beauty, and social class. At the start of the book, we find Mark and Patty Brace on the brink of losing their farm due to financial ruin, compounded by Mark's ill-fated decision to act as a guarantor for a deceivingly charming man. On a stormy night, they discover a baby girl, Doris, left on their doorstep along with a letter promising monetary support for her upbringing. Mark and Patty’s stark emotions are juxtaposed against the innocence of their own daughter, Mattie, and the burden of raising Doris, who is described as extraordinarily beautiful and potentially of noble heritage. This opening sets the stage for conflicts between social class expectations and personal integrity as the characters navigate their fates.