Lady Anne and Lady Jane. Austin and his wife. The mysterious stranger. Appearance is against her. Valentine's eve. Mrs. Arlington. Proposals of marriage. White lies. Henry Woodville. The Quaker. A tale of trials. The ruffian boy. Welcome home

This collection represents a selection of the didactic and moralistic fiction penned by the English author Amelia Opie during the early nineteenth century. Opie, a prominent member of the Norwich literary circle and a significant figure in the social reform movements of her era, crafted these narratives to explore the tensions between social decorum, personal integrity, and the emotional trials faced by women in Regency society. Her works were often written to impart moral instruction, reflecting her shift from secular novel-writing toward the Quaker values she adopted later in life.

The stories included in this volume, such as 'White Lies' and 'The Ruffian Boy,' highlight Opie's interest in the consequences of social deception and the influence of early environment on character. Contemporary reception of Opie’s writing was generally favorable, as critics of the period appreciated her ability to blend domestic realism with emotional moralizing. Her prose served as a bridge between the popular sentimental novel and the burgeoning Victorian tradition of the moral tale, remaining a significant example of the literature accessible to nineteenth-century reading circles.