The Limit

Valentia and Romer Wyburn have what seems to be a typical Edwardian marriage. Beautiful Valentia has found the handsome, solid and silently devoted Romer a little duller than she expected, and her high spirits have sought out a distant cousin, the elegant but poor artist Harry de Freyne, whose worldly attitude of fun suits her admirably. They are carrying on what they hope is a discreet affair. Meanwhile, Valentia's younger sister Daphne is being pursued by a wealthy American friend of Harry, Matthew Van Buren, who worships women in a respectful way that is typically transatlantic. Harry finds his attitude needless, being much more selfish and practical in his aims where the fair sex are concerned. Unfortunately for Van Buren, Daphne is equally unimpressed; her heart is already captivated by Cyril Foster, a 'baby Guardsman' whose lack of wealth is a problem, but who returns Daphne's liking, to the concern of those who want to see her set up comfortably in life. Will Valentia and Harry manage to get away with their affair? What will happen if Harry's meagre artistic income finally peters out entirely? Will he marry the illimitably-moneyed Miss Walmer, who, like almost all women, finds his easy charm extraordinarily attractive, but whose healthy love of hockey and florid complexion do not appeal to him in the least? Will the Wyburns' friend, the hugely successful playwright Hereford Vaughan, be able to help Valentia see what she is risking? The affair sizzles and the two grow ever more emboldened, until an overheard conversation brings everything to a head; the limit is reached. Surprisingly, it is quiet Romer Wyburn himself who provides a very unexpected answer. This delightfully witty comedy with touches of deeper drama was Ada Leverson's third novel; it was first published in 1911.