A Butterfly on the Wheel: A Novel

A novel written in the early 20th century. This work is based on a successful play by E. G. Hemmerde and Francis Neilson, and it unfolds the intricate dynamics of an upper-class marriage complicated by societal expectations and rumors. The story revolves around Mrs. Peggy Admaston, a seemingly carefree and flirtatious woman, amidst her relationships with powerful men, including her husband George Admaston and the charming Roderick Collingwood. The opening of the novel sets the stage in the luxurious Hôtel des Tuileries in Paris, where Peggy and her maid, Pauline, find themselves after a series of misadventures involving a train mishap. As the two discuss their changing circumstances and the arrival of various characters from their past, tension builds around Peggy’s reputation and her flirtations with Collingwood, who arrives unexpectedly. The conversations hint at deeper issues in Peggy's marriage and suggest that she is caught between her desires and social expectations. The initial chapters foreshadow a potential scandal that threatens to unravel the delicate fabric of their lives, making it clear that the narrative will explore themes of love, fidelity, and the societal pressures that complicate personal relationships.