Maid Marian, and Other Stories

"Maid Marian, and Other Stories" by Molly Elliot Seawell is a compilation of tales from the end of the 1800s. It spins stories of different people and their experiences, with Maid Marian as a key person whose attractiveness and elegance fascinate those around her. The initial narrative begins with a New York lawyer named Macfarren, who finds himself captivated by a portrait of Lady Marian hanging in his basic hotel room. The painting appears to awaken her spirit, causing an unreal meeting where Lady Marian comes to reality before him, apparently unconscious of her shift from artwork to person. Their conversation reveals both her charming personality and his comical attempts to deal with the unexpected happening. The author uses a mix of romance and comedy, presenting the societal interactions of the period and the connection between the upper class and everyday people.