The Late Mrs. Null

"The Late Mrs. Null" by Frank R. Stockton is a story from the late 1800s that centers on Roberta March, a young woman residing at her family's Midbranch estate in Virginia, whose life twists through her relationships with Lawrence Croft, a man with growing affection for her, and Junius Keswick, her former fiancé. Picture Midbranch, brought to life with detailed descriptions of serene landscapes and the historic family mansion. Roberta manages her uncle's home while contemplating her connections with the two men; Lawrence struggles with his uncertainty towards a deeper relationship with Roberta, fueled by her past engagement. As the story goes on, Roberta's uncertain feelings create tension, especially heightened by the arrival of Mrs. Null at the Keswick residence, setting up a narrative rich with character, the area's complex society, and identity wrapped in Southern life.