This book was a bit difficult to read. It is set before the Civil War -- President Polk's era ( mid 1800's ) however this wasn't revealed until almost 3/4th's through the book. In addition, the location ( state ) of the book was never revealed. At first I thought it was Indiana ( where Tarkington is from ) and then thought perhaps Louisiana.

At any rate, this is a typical Tarkington love story involving mistaken identity. A beautiful, rich girl ( Betty Carewe ) comes back from a convent at the age of 18. She runs into Tom Vanrevel -- the town saint and winsomest man. She also encounters Criley, the town love-maker / partier. Both Tom and Criley are best friends and are partners in a law firm.

Her dad warns her not to see either of them as Tom is an ardent abolitionist and her dad hates those sorts. Criley is too much of a scoundrel.

However, she confuses the two and throughout the book thinks that Criley is Tom and that Tom is Criley. She falls for Criley thinking that he is Tom. Criley can only turn on his charms and take advantage of the situation.

By the end of the book and after several misadventures, Betty ( the girl ) figures out who is who. However tragedy does strike.

As a distant cousin of Booth Tarkington's, I was interested in reading a biography of the man. The book left me with the impression that Booth was idolized by his own family and treated as royalty. A niece returning from school was granted an audience with her uncle. His wife (second) was very protective of him. I am amazed he kept any sense of humility.