The Misses Mallett (The Bridge Dividing)

"The Misses Mallett (The Bridge Dividing)" by E. H. Young is a story set in the early 1900s about Rose Mallett, a young woman dealing with complicated relationships, especially with Francis Sales, who is in love with her even though she does not feel the same way. The story happens in the beautiful English countryside and looks at ideas about love, what society expects, and trying to find your own freedom in a world that follows old traditions. At the beginning, Rose is riding through the countryside and meets Francis Sales. Their talk shows that they do not agree on things: Francis wants a closer relationship, but Rose says she does not have romantic feelings and would rather be independent than get married. This conversation shows Rose's inner struggle—she knows what society wants but also wishes for a life of adventure and finding herself. As Rose struggles with who she is and where she fits in a society controlled by family expectations, the story shows her fight against the limits of her world, including when she meets Francis's new wife, Christabel.