Nedra

"Nedra" by George Barr McCutcheon is a story set in a time when society's rules heavily influence young couples. Hugh Ridgeway and Grace Vernon, who are engaged, find themselves weighed down by family and social expectations as their wedding day approaches. They begin to consider running away together to escape these pressures. The story opens with them amidst preparations for their engagement party, where their lighthearted conversations hint at the strain caused by controlling relatives like Grace's Aunt Elizabeth. They both wish for a small, private wedding, which clashes with the elaborate event others expect. The novel highlights their increasing frustration, the temptation to elope, and the bigger ideas of love fighting old-fashioned ways, and finding your own joy.