En 1850, la alta burguesía neoyorquina disfruta de una desentendida prosperidad. Delia, reina del endogámico clan de los Ralston, ultima los detalles de su vestuario para brillar en el acontecimiento social del año: el enlace de su prima Charlotte Lovell con Joe Ralston, que, además, sellará una alianza entre las dos familias hegemónicas de Nuev York. Cuando nada parece poder desbaratar tan idílico porvenir, una desquiciada Charlotte irrumpe en casa de Delia para desvelarle un secreto que alterará para siempre la placidez de sus vidas y que, de saberse, tumbaría los códigos éticos de los que ambas se han venido nutriendo.

This novella studies two women, Delia Ralston and her cousin Charlotte Lovell, in the 19th century. Delia is content in her marriage, if not wildly in love, despite lingering regrets about a young man who did not have the money to marry her or the desire for a staid profession in New York City. Charlotte is about to be married, after an illness that took her away for awhile and left her somewhat changed. Then Charlotte comes to Delia and confesses that one of the poor children to whom she has been providing assistance is in fact her own daughter; she is doubting her ability to marry because her fiance wants her to give up the children. Delia's handling of the situation then and twenty years later reveals her character and the nature of her society, with some pointed commentary on how women enforced the double standard.

While it's not as good as Ethan Frome, The Old Maid is of a similar length, probably even shorter, and really EF is a hard act to follow. Edith Wharton tells the simple story beautifully. I didn't feel like the story was predictable, and I'm looking forward to reading more of Wharton's tetralogy. ( )

A rather daring subject for the time but it became a more predictable story than I expected. It seemed a contest of wills between two women I didn't much care about. Along with some very intricate descriptions of furniture and clothing that made me think that was important but I don't really know.

beautiful writing, sad story ( )

As her wedding day approaches, Charlotte Lowell reveals a long-hidden secret to her cousin, Delia Ralston: the foundling that she has been visiting as a charity project is actually her own daughter, born as the result of a brief affair with one of Delia's former beaux. (Don't worry--no spoilers; this is something you learn in the first few chapters, and I promise to give nothing else away.) The reactions, decisions, and solutions that follow will deeply affect the lives of the two women, as well as that of the little girl, Tina.

As so often, Wharton sets her story in upper crust New York society at the end of the nineteenth century, a world propelled by money, property, lineage, and rigid rules of etiquette. But the most interesting aspect of The Old Maid is the shifting relationship between the cousins, Delia and "Chatty" (Charlotte). Wharton delves deep into their psychology, exploring their fears, resentments, and motivations over the course of twenty years, all of them revolving around the often conflicting values of maternal love and family loyalties. This is, as another reviewer noted, a sentimental story--but not in a maudlin, melodramatic way. I consider it a fine addition to my Wharton shelf. ( )