The Siege of the Seven Suitors

"The Siege of the Seven Suitors" by Meredith Nicholson is a story focused on love and ambition among a group of quirky characters in a society with many social rules; it centers around Arnold Ames, a chimney doctor, as he finds himself involved with the lives of his friend Hartley Wiggins and a family of women. The story begins with Arnold and Hartley having dinner, exposing their light-hearted friendship and Hartley's strange sadness, and their conversation suggests a conflict between Hartley and Cecilia Hollister, whom he met at the Asolando Tea-Room. Soon after, Hartley leaves on an adventure, and Arnold decides to revisit Cecilia and her aunt Octavia, hinting at complicated relationships and playful jokes.