Touchstone

Published in 1900, 'Touchstone' by Edith Wharton follows Stephen Glennard, whose crumbling career leads him to sell the love letters of the late author Margaret Aubyn, with whom he had a romantic past. In a desperate bid for financial stability to marry his fiancée, Glennard's decision to profit from another's betrayal raises moral questions about integrity and love. The novella explores themes of ambition, guilt, and the consequences of one's choices, making it a notable work in Wharton's exploration of societal norms and personal ethics.