The suspicions of Ermengarde

"The Suspicions of Ermengarde" by Maxwell Gray is a story about a woman named Ermengarde Allonby, experiencing difficulties in her marriage to Arthur, whose disinterest affects her deeply. She struggles with his lack of attention to her emotions and worries, as well as their money problems and her longing for a better social life. The story shows her personal battles and also explores larger ideas about love, a lack of care in relationships, and the search for who she is as a person. The novel begins with a dark and foggy scene that shows Ermengarde's sad mood, as she thinks about Arthur's careless attitude toward their money issues, especially related to her costly hats. Feeling trapped in her unhappy marriage with shattered hopes, Ermengarde decides to go to the Riviera, hoping to find comfort and a new beginning. During her trip, she meets different people, encounters hints of bigger problems, and starts to suspect things about her husband, making readers question whether her travels will change how she understands love and her own value.