Chapter I: Front Matter

Transcriber's Note:
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=Edgar Fawcett's Novels.=

_Mr. Fawcett is a novelist who does a service that greatly needs to be done,--a novelist who writes of the life with which he is closely acquainted, and who manfully emphasizes his respect for his native land, and his contempt for the weakness and affectation of those who are ashamed of their country._--New York Evening Post.

_A GENTLEMAN OF LEISURE._

_Ninth Edition._ "Little Classic" style. 18mo, $1.00.

Take it as a whole, we know no English novel of the last few years fit to be compared with it in its own line for simplicity, truth, and rational interest.--_London Times._

It is the most truly American novel that has been given to the world in some time, for the reason that it teaches Americans--or, at all events, should teach them--what puny and puerile beings they become when they attempt to decry their own country and ape the idiosyncrasies of another.--_New York Express._

An amazingly clever book, the story well managed in the telling, the dialogue bright and sparkling, and the humor unforced and genuine.--_Boston Transcript._

It is a most charming story of American life and character, with a rare dash of humor in it, and a good deal of vigorous satire.--_Quebec Chronicle._

_A HOPELESS CASE._

_Fourth Edition._ "Little Classic" style. 18mo, $1.25.

"A Hopeless Case" contains much that goes to make up a novel of the best order--wit, sarcasm, pathos, and dramatic power--with its sentences clearly wrought out and daintily finished. It is a book which ought to have a great success.--_Cincinnati Commercial._

"A Hopeless Case" will, we are sure, meet with a very enthusiastic reception from all who can appreciate fiction of a high order. The picture of New York society, as revealed in its pages, is remarkably graphic and true to life.... A thoroughly delightful novel--keen, witty, and eminently American. It will give the author a high rank as a writer of fiction.--_Boston Traveller._

As a sprightly and interesting comedy this book will find hosts of interested readers. It has its lessons of value in the striking contrasts it furnishes of the different styles of life found in our great cities.--_New England Journal of Education._

Its brilliant and faithful pictures of New York society and its charming heroine can hardly fail to make it very popular.--_Salem Gazette._

_AN AMBITIOUS WOMAN._

12mo, cloth, $1.50.

*.* _For sale by Booksellers. Sent, by mail, post-paid, on receipt of price by the Publishers_,

HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN & CO., BOSTON, MASS.

AN AMBITIOUS WOMAN

_A Novel_

BY

EDGAR FAWCETT

AUTHOR OF "A GENTLEMAN OF LEISURE," "A HOPELESS
CASE," ETC.

BOSTON
HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY
New York: 11 East Seventeenth Street
=The Riverside Press, Cambridge=
1884

Copyright, 1888,
BY EDGAR FAWCETT.

_All rights reserved._

_The Riverside Press, Cambridge:_
Electrotyped and Printed by H. O. Houghton & Co.

AN AMBITIOUS WOMAN.