The Widow Barnaby. Vol. 1 (of 3)

"The Widow Barnaby" by Frances Milton Trollope is a story set in a charming Devonshire town during the early 1800s, it follows the lives of the Compton sisters, particularly Miss Martha Compton, as they deal with the problems of family, money, and what people expect of them. The story introduces the shy Reverend Josiah Compton and the proper Mrs. Compton, hinting at the conflicts between social class and wealth. Miss Martha and her sister Sophia live under the expectations of their mother and society while their father is a curate. Mrs. Compton is trying hard to present her daughters well at a party but is running out of money, while Mr. Compton feels pressured by all her demands. The story reveals the family relationships, especially the different views of Miss Betsy Compton, their wealthy but unhappy sister-in-law, and a conflict of family opinions.