Idols in the Heart: A Tale

"Idols in the Heart: A Tale" by A. L. O. E. is a story from the late 1800s that follows Clemence Effingham, a newlywed who becomes a stepmother and enters a home filled with critical family members. The plot likely explores themes of what society expects, identity, and how hard family relationships can be, especially as Clemence deals with her husband's children and their aunt, Lady Selina. At the beginning, the story shows the worries and anger of the kids, Arabella and Louisa, and the controlling influence of Lady Selina when Clemence, the new bride, arrives at Vincent's house. As events happen, we see Clemence's curiosity, disgust, and inner conflicts as she tries to connect with her stepchildren and get used to her new role, which is made more difficult because her family is not as high in social class as her husband's family, leading to tense family dynamics.