Writen in the 1790s but set in the 1770s, the Old Manor House depicts the life of a middle class with connections, if not pretensions, to those who are better off. The young hero doggedly perseveres in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, managing to retain his honor as well as the love of his life. But along the way all seems lost at almost every turn. A vague sense of the supernatural pervades the work. The fragility of their happiness emerges, as time after time, the least bit of overheard conversation, or a message not delivered or misunderstood is sufficient to undo everything. Smith also manages to state her anti-war, pro-American views, which might have seemed somewhat controversial at the time. ( )