Short Stories for Adults
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
A Little Simpleton (1877) - A shy young woman enters the home of an imposing older bachelor and fortuitously saves his life. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, January 1877.
Free PDF - Read now
A Story of the Latin Quarter (1879) - A brilliantly intense but ill artist paints the soul of a woman, who is deeply affected by what she sees. This emotional and contemplative piece is unique among Mrs. Burnett's literary catalog in that it has a painful ending. Readers should expect to feel distressed. This story was originally published in Scribner's Monthly, May 1879. It was later renamed Natalie and published as part of a short story compilation book not authorized by Mrs. Burnett.
Free PDF - Read now
After Many Days (1872) - A frightened, loyal woman suffers eight years of separation from her husband due to the interference of her cruel mother. This story was published in Harper's Magazine, November 1872.
Free PDF - Read now
After Thirty Years (1875) - Two lovers, separated by a tragic falsehood 30 years prior, meet again in their older age. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, February 1875.
Free PDF - Read now
An Angel Unawares (1889) - A traveling artist boards at the home of a hospitable young country woman and her avaricious sister. This story was published in The American Magazine, May 1889.
Free PDF - Read now
As Good As A Mile (1875) - A simple, ingenuous young woman is devastated by her coldhearted lover's unfaithfulness. Mrs. Burnett writes a just ending for both parties. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, April 1875.
Free PDF - Read now
Aunt Portia's Diamond (1875) - An embittered spinster falsely slanders the character of her meek niece's lover. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, October 1875.
Free PDF - Read now
Bebe (1876) - in Peterson's Magazine, July 1876
Free PDF - Read now
Dolores (1873) - A solitary young woman plagued by an unknown sorrow comes to live and teach at a boarding-school for girls. This heart-wrenching story has a sad ending. It was published in Peterson's Magazine, January 1873.
Free PDF - Read now
Esmaralda (1877) - A simple young North Carolina woman, whisked away to Paris when her opportunistic mother comes into a fortune, develops a friendship with two tutors as she pines for her abandoned lover. This story was published in Scribner's Monthly, May 1877, and was later reprinted in the book Surly Tim and Other Stories.
Free PDF - Read now
Ethel's Sir Lancelot (1868) - A desirable, spirited young woman resists marriage until she can find a hero worthy of admiration. This story was Frances' first for Peterson's Magazine, and was published in November 1868.
Free PDF - Read now
Felicia (1874) - A resentful woman, ill with fury over an accident that resulted in a disfiguring scar, tries her lover's strength and devotion. This is a heart-wrenching and painful story. It was published in Peterson's Magazine, January 1874.
Free PDF - Read now
Hearts and Diamonds (1868) - A frivolous young woman bets her diamond ring that she can make an eligible bachelor propose to her in the course of a summer holiday. This was the second story Miss Fannie Hodgson submitted to a magazine, but her first to be published, after the editor requested this second piece to verify the author's authenticity. Her first submission, Miss Carruthers' Engagement, was published in Godey's four months later. In both cases she used the pseudonym "The Second." In her autobiography The One I Knew The Best Of All, Mrs. Burnett refers to this title as "Aces or Clubs." This story was published in Godey's Lady's Book, June 1868.
Free PDF - Read now
Her Secret (1873) - A young woman's spirit withers in a marriage to a man she does not love, as she despairs for her true love whom she believes to be dead. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, May 1873.
Free PDF - Read now
How Scarbrough Married for Money (1872) - A bachelor with dwindling inheritance seeks to marry any woman of wealth-- and ends up honestly falling in love. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, September 1872.
Free PDF - Read now
In Spite of Themselves (1871) - A haughty young woman resists the advances of a composed and upstanding bachelor. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, January 1871.
Free PDF - Read now
In the Closed Room (1904) - A young girl makes a friend from the afterlife as her family caretakes a country home.
This story is mystic and more macabre than most of Mrs. Burnett's writing, in that it features death. It was originally serialized in McClure's Magazine beginning in August 1904, and then published as a book.
Free HTML - Read now
Jarl’s Daughter (1871) - A villainous captain proposes marriage to a trusting society girl, while carrying out a secret romance with a fisherman's daughter. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, March 1871.
Free PDF - Read now
Le Monsieur De La Petite Dame (1877) - A physically unattractive man with deep honor, patience, and loyalty, is mocked by society and treated coldly by his wife, who, through a tragedy, finally learns to value and love him. This story was published in Scribner's Monthly, June 1877, and later reprinted in the book Surly Tim and Other Stories.
Free PDF - Read now
Lisa's Little Story (1876) - The shunned younger sister of a correct society girl wins the heart of a perceptive American man. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, February 1876.
Free PDF - Read now
Lisabel Cray's Punishment (1890) - A conniving, mercenary woman snubs the devoted man who loves her, and marries an elderly patron for his money. This story was published in The American Magazine, March 1890.
Free PDF - Read now
Little Polly Lambert (1872) - A self-impressed Captain, preoccupied with his superficial conception of social refinement, condescends to a charming and popular young woman due to her modest background; he is in for an embarrassing surprise! The plot of this story develops slowly but has a hilarious ending. It was published in Peterson's Magazine, April 1872.
Free PDF - Read now
Lodusky (1877) - A young writer and her painter fiancé vacation for artistic inspiration in North Carolina, where the artist falls in love with a beautiful but jealous and manipulative social climber as she models for a portrait. This story was published in Scribner's Monthly, September 1877, and was later reprinted in the book Surly Tim and Other Stories.
Free PDF - Read now
Mackenzie's Wife (1876) - A young wife begins to develop an emotional bond with her artistic mentor, and struggles to remain faithful to her loving and devoted husband. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, April 1876.
Free PDF - Read now
Mademoiselle Suzette (1877) - A volatile relationship between a knife-throwing showman and a young performing beauty ends in a tragic circus accident. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, March 1877.
Free PDF - Read now
Meg's Love (1879) - A young English governess and a visiting Captain are separated by circumstance for several years, only to be reunited at a party in Paris. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, January 1879.
Free PDF - Read now
Mère Giraud's Little Daughter (1876) - A beautiful young woman from a small French villages moves to Paris with her artistic brother, who supports her during a miserable marriage to a dishonorable fallen aristocrat. This story was published in Scribner's Monthly, November 1876, and was later reprinted in the book Surly Tim and Other Stories.
Free PDF - Read now
Merely An Episode (1876) - A vapid, vain, trifling young woman seeks advantage by falsely pledging her love to two adorers; she meets a just fate when they learn the truth of her character. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, June 1876.
Free PDF - Read now
Miss Carruthers' Engagement (1868) - Due to a mix-up of letters, a society woman falsely believes her fiancé has broken the engagement; accordingly, she treats him with cold scorn until realizing her mistake. This was the first story Miss Fannie Hodgson submitted to a magazine, but it was the second to be published, after the editor requested a second piece to verify the author's authenticity. Both Miss Carruthers' Engagement and Miss Hodgson's first published story, Hearts and Diamonds, were submitted under the pseudonym "The Second." In her autobiography The One I Knew The Best Of All, Mrs. Burnett refers to this title as "Miss Desborough's Difficulties." This story was published in Godey's Lady's Book and Magazine, October 1868.
Free PDF - Read now
Miss Jerningham's Version (1875) - A young, independent, charming American woman goes to live with her aunt in a conventional English town, and faces the wrath and gossip of a contemptuous local busybody. This story is told in first-person from the perspective of the meddler, and is delightfully revealing of her jealous and suspicious manner. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, November 1875.
Free PDF - Read now
Miss Vernon's Choice (1872) - An honorable young woman visiting New York falls in love with a handicapped and depressed gentleman, creating gossip and jealousy among the other vacationers. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, April 1872.
Free PDF - Read now
My Cousin Katherine (1876) - A sullen and surly fallen gentleman is softened by the loving affections of his sweet and kind cousin. This story is told from a first-person perspective. It was published in Peterson's Magazine, March 1876.
Free PDF - Read now
My Dear Friend Barbara Sharpless (1876) - A young teacher seemingly befriends a lonely boarding school pupil, while manipulating the girl's guilelessness to gain access to her wealthy relations. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, August 1876.
Free PDF - Read now
Natalie - see A Story of the Latin Quarter
Nobody But Jane Rossitur (1875) - An eligible bachelor vacationing at the estate of a wealthy family falls in love with their unlikely but charming relation from a less prestigious social class. This story was published in Harper's New Monthly Magazine, May 1875.
Free PDF - Read now
Norah Ferguson's Story (1873) - A bitter young woman, who had been abused and then orphaned, goes to live at the estate of a wealthy benefactor, his niece and nephew, and their nurse, from who she slowly learns that trust and love are possible. This story is written in first-person from the perspective of the nurse. It was published in Peterson's Magazine, July 1873.
Free PDF - Read now
Notwithstanding (1877) - Against the reservations of his dignified and cultured friends, a wealthy Southern man falls in love with a beautiful but comparatively foolish, modern, girlish young woman. This story is written in first-person perspective. It was published in Harper's New Monthly Magazine, February 1877.
Free PDF - Read now
On the Circuit (1874) - A simple young woman is deceived and left brokenhearted by the careless flirtations of a flashy young minister, and is ultimately healed by a plainer but patient man she had previously overlooked. This story was published in Harper's New Monthly Magazine, December 1874,
Free PDF - Read now
One Day at Arle (1872) - In an English fishing hamlet, a hardened woman cruelly condemns her long-suffering and patient husband, who meets with a tragic accident later that day. This heart-wrenching story has a painful ending. As with several other of Mrs. Burnett's stories, the characters speak in a Lancashire dialect. This story was published in Scribner's Monthly, September 1872, and was later reprinted in the book Surly Tim and Other Stories.
Free PDF - Read now
One Quiet Episode (1874) - A bookish, absent-minded man falls in his first love with a pleasant young schoolteacher whom he admires from afar and courts in his imagination, oblivious that she is faithfully engaged. This story has a painful ending. It was published in Harper's New Monthly Magazine, February 1873.
Free PDF - Read now
Our Neighbor Opposite (1878) - A shy, ailing Italian nobleman whose family has fallen from grace falls in love with a young American woman. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, January 1878.
Free PDF - Read now
"Princess" Bab (1887) - A patient, faithful, dutiful, yet handicapped girl bears flippant treatment from her beautiful but selfish cousin. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, January 1887.
Free PDF - Read now
Seth (1877) - An orphaned Lancashire lad arrives in Tennessee to work in the mines, and nurses the personable mine owner through cholera. This heartbreaking story has an even more tragic ending as the boy’s identity and life history are revealed. This story was published in Lippincott's Magazine, March 1877, and was later reprinted in the book Surly Tim and Other Stories.
Free HTML - Read now
Sir Patrick's Romance (1871) - A wealthy baronet poses as an average gentleman in London, where he rents a flat and falls in love with the landlady's sweet and tender daughter. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, July 1871.
Free PDF - Read now
Smethurstses (1877) - A simple-minded but honorable owner of a wax museum protects a young woman who is being pursued by her sinister ex-lover. This sweet story is written in first-person in Lancashire dialect. It was published in Scribner's Monthy, August 1877, and was later reprinted in the book Surly Tim and Other Stories.
Free PDF - Read now
Surly Tim's Trouble: A Lancashire Story (1872) - A melancholic factory man reveals the heartbreaking source of his sorrow as he visits the graves of the two loves he lost. This heartbreaking story is written in first-person in Lancashire dialect. It was the first of Mrs. Burnett's stories to be accepted into the more prestigious journal Scribner's Monthly. Wrote editor Richard Watson Gilder, “Dr. Holland, and Dr. Holland’s daughter and Dr. Holland’s right-hand man (myself) have all wept sore over ‘Surly Tim.’ Hope to weep again over mss. [manuscripts] from you. Very sincerely and tearfully, Watson Gilder.” It was published in June 1872, and later reprinted in the book Surly Tim and Other Stories.
Free PDF - Read now
The Black Lace Mantilla (1878) - A bohemian artist paints a portrait of his beautiful sister, whom a wealthy French gentleman falls in love with upon seeing the painting. This story is written from a first-person perspective. It was published in Peterson's Magazine, April 1878.
Free PDF - Read now
The Curate of St. Mary's (1872) - A staid curate secretly falls in love with the rector's young daughter, and must maintain he secret even when she becomes gravely ill. This story ends in tragedy. It was published in Peterson's Magazine, February 1872.
Free PDF - Read now
The Fire at Grantley Mills (1874) - Two enemies, who have rivaled over the same man, become trapped by a fire at the mill where they work; only one can be taken down the ladder to safety-- by the very man who seems to have wronged them both! This story is written with some Lancashire dialect. It was published in Scribner's Monthly, July 1874.
Free PDF - Read now
The Last Duchesne (1878) - A withdrawn young woman, raised alone by her stern grandfather, a fallen aristocrat in the southern tradition, meets with a family who tries to show her enjoyment and unconditional love. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, July 1878.
Free PDF - Read now
The Little Shop at Gowanham (1874) - A girl, orphaned and alone when her guardian passes away, keeps a general store and selflessly ministers to the townsfolk in need; in so doing, she inspires an nonbelieving curate to become a better and loving man. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, July 1874.
Free PDF - Read now
The Men Who Loved Elizabeth (1875) - A proud young woman who serves as a lady's companion is loved by two men: one, whom she loves but refuses to marry due to her wounded pride regarding his family; and another, plain, who patiently foregoes his own interest to make her happy. This is a tender, beautiful, passionate love story. It was first published in Peterson's Magazine, December 1875.
Free PDF - Read now
The Mystery of Mr. Jack Pym (1877) - A gentleman writer moves to a small and simple town where he is admired among the people, save a young schoolteacher he seems to have wronged in the past. This endearing love story has a happy ending. It was first published in Peterson's Magazine, May 1877.
Free PDF - Read now
The New Governess (1872) - The bachelor brother of a widowed lady falls in love with her new governess, whose clarity and honest manner impress him far more than the frivolous society women to whom he is accustomed. This story was first published in Peterson's Magazine, January 1872.
Free PDF - Read now
The Plain Miss Burnie (1880) - A widowed gentleman hosts a Christmas vacation at his estate, where a scheming mother vies for two of her daughters to win his favor; yet he falls in love with a third who had been overlooked and neglected. This story was first published in Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly, February 1880.
Free PDF - Read now
The Punishment of Fenham (1900) - in Argosy, November 1900
The Woman Who Saved Me (1873) - A woman rendered sick with depression and nervous exhaustion after suffering a stillbirth goes to stay with her childhood friend to restore her health. This heart-wrenching tale of faithful yearning is highly emotional throughout, but has a happy resolution. It is written in first-person perspective and was first published in Scribner's Monthly, March 1873.
Free PDF - Read now
Tina (1874) - A young governess, simple and unworldly, attracts the attention of a celebrated doctor in the home across the street. This story was first published in Harper's New Monthly Magazine, June 1874.
Free PDF - Read now
Toinette (1873) - An amiable and professional man befriends two sister spinsters who are inexperienced in romance, while they misinterpret his intentions and believe he is in love with one of them. This story has a sad ending. It was first published in Peterson's Magazine, March 1873.
Free PDF - Read now
Tom Halifax, M.D. (1872) - A capricious young flirt of a woman scorns the stolid town doctor in favor of her wealthy cousin, until she sees the doctor's strength, skill, and selflessness in managing an epidemic. This story was first published in Godey's Lady's Book and Magazine, April 1872.
Free PDF - Read now
Wanted - A Young Person (1876) - Two sisters, former headmistresses, take in a young woman as a companion, and discover she may have been wronged by the esteemed town doctor. This story was first published in Peterson's Magazine, January 1876.
Free PDF - Read now
What Might Have Been Expected (1876) - A kind, patient, steadfast man is reunited and offers support to the woman he has loved, who is now in despair over her widowhood preceded by a failed and lonely marriage. This story was first published in Peterson's Magazine, May 1876.
Free PDF - Read now
Free PDF - Read now
A Story of the Latin Quarter (1879) - A brilliantly intense but ill artist paints the soul of a woman, who is deeply affected by what she sees. This emotional and contemplative piece is unique among Mrs. Burnett's literary catalog in that it has a painful ending. Readers should expect to feel distressed. This story was originally published in Scribner's Monthly, May 1879. It was later renamed Natalie and published as part of a short story compilation book not authorized by Mrs. Burnett.
Free PDF - Read now
After Many Days (1872) - A frightened, loyal woman suffers eight years of separation from her husband due to the interference of her cruel mother. This story was published in Harper's Magazine, November 1872.
Free PDF - Read now
After Thirty Years (1875) - Two lovers, separated by a tragic falsehood 30 years prior, meet again in their older age. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, February 1875.
Free PDF - Read now
An Angel Unawares (1889) - A traveling artist boards at the home of a hospitable young country woman and her avaricious sister. This story was published in The American Magazine, May 1889.
Free PDF - Read now
As Good As A Mile (1875) - A simple, ingenuous young woman is devastated by her coldhearted lover's unfaithfulness. Mrs. Burnett writes a just ending for both parties. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, April 1875.
Free PDF - Read now
Aunt Portia's Diamond (1875) - An embittered spinster falsely slanders the character of her meek niece's lover. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, October 1875.
Free PDF - Read now
Bebe (1876) - in Peterson's Magazine, July 1876
Free PDF - Read now
Dolores (1873) - A solitary young woman plagued by an unknown sorrow comes to live and teach at a boarding-school for girls. This heart-wrenching story has a sad ending. It was published in Peterson's Magazine, January 1873.
Free PDF - Read now
Esmaralda (1877) - A simple young North Carolina woman, whisked away to Paris when her opportunistic mother comes into a fortune, develops a friendship with two tutors as she pines for her abandoned lover. This story was published in Scribner's Monthly, May 1877, and was later reprinted in the book Surly Tim and Other Stories.
Free PDF - Read now
Ethel's Sir Lancelot (1868) - A desirable, spirited young woman resists marriage until she can find a hero worthy of admiration. This story was Frances' first for Peterson's Magazine, and was published in November 1868.
Free PDF - Read now
Felicia (1874) - A resentful woman, ill with fury over an accident that resulted in a disfiguring scar, tries her lover's strength and devotion. This is a heart-wrenching and painful story. It was published in Peterson's Magazine, January 1874.
Free PDF - Read now
Hearts and Diamonds (1868) - A frivolous young woman bets her diamond ring that she can make an eligible bachelor propose to her in the course of a summer holiday. This was the second story Miss Fannie Hodgson submitted to a magazine, but her first to be published, after the editor requested this second piece to verify the author's authenticity. Her first submission, Miss Carruthers' Engagement, was published in Godey's four months later. In both cases she used the pseudonym "The Second." In her autobiography The One I Knew The Best Of All, Mrs. Burnett refers to this title as "Aces or Clubs." This story was published in Godey's Lady's Book, June 1868.
Free PDF - Read now
Her Secret (1873) - A young woman's spirit withers in a marriage to a man she does not love, as she despairs for her true love whom she believes to be dead. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, May 1873.
Free PDF - Read now
How Scarbrough Married for Money (1872) - A bachelor with dwindling inheritance seeks to marry any woman of wealth-- and ends up honestly falling in love. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, September 1872.
Free PDF - Read now
In Spite of Themselves (1871) - A haughty young woman resists the advances of a composed and upstanding bachelor. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, January 1871.
Free PDF - Read now
In the Closed Room (1904) - A young girl makes a friend from the afterlife as her family caretakes a country home.
This story is mystic and more macabre than most of Mrs. Burnett's writing, in that it features death. It was originally serialized in McClure's Magazine beginning in August 1904, and then published as a book.
Free HTML - Read now
Jarl’s Daughter (1871) - A villainous captain proposes marriage to a trusting society girl, while carrying out a secret romance with a fisherman's daughter. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, March 1871.
Free PDF - Read now
Le Monsieur De La Petite Dame (1877) - A physically unattractive man with deep honor, patience, and loyalty, is mocked by society and treated coldly by his wife, who, through a tragedy, finally learns to value and love him. This story was published in Scribner's Monthly, June 1877, and later reprinted in the book Surly Tim and Other Stories.
Free PDF - Read now
Lisa's Little Story (1876) - The shunned younger sister of a correct society girl wins the heart of a perceptive American man. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, February 1876.
Free PDF - Read now
Lisabel Cray's Punishment (1890) - A conniving, mercenary woman snubs the devoted man who loves her, and marries an elderly patron for his money. This story was published in The American Magazine, March 1890.
Free PDF - Read now
Little Polly Lambert (1872) - A self-impressed Captain, preoccupied with his superficial conception of social refinement, condescends to a charming and popular young woman due to her modest background; he is in for an embarrassing surprise! The plot of this story develops slowly but has a hilarious ending. It was published in Peterson's Magazine, April 1872.
Free PDF - Read now
Lodusky (1877) - A young writer and her painter fiancé vacation for artistic inspiration in North Carolina, where the artist falls in love with a beautiful but jealous and manipulative social climber as she models for a portrait. This story was published in Scribner's Monthly, September 1877, and was later reprinted in the book Surly Tim and Other Stories.
Free PDF - Read now
Mackenzie's Wife (1876) - A young wife begins to develop an emotional bond with her artistic mentor, and struggles to remain faithful to her loving and devoted husband. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, April 1876.
Free PDF - Read now
Mademoiselle Suzette (1877) - A volatile relationship between a knife-throwing showman and a young performing beauty ends in a tragic circus accident. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, March 1877.
Free PDF - Read now
Meg's Love (1879) - A young English governess and a visiting Captain are separated by circumstance for several years, only to be reunited at a party in Paris. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, January 1879.
Free PDF - Read now
Mère Giraud's Little Daughter (1876) - A beautiful young woman from a small French villages moves to Paris with her artistic brother, who supports her during a miserable marriage to a dishonorable fallen aristocrat. This story was published in Scribner's Monthly, November 1876, and was later reprinted in the book Surly Tim and Other Stories.
Free PDF - Read now
Merely An Episode (1876) - A vapid, vain, trifling young woman seeks advantage by falsely pledging her love to two adorers; she meets a just fate when they learn the truth of her character. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, June 1876.
Free PDF - Read now
Miss Carruthers' Engagement (1868) - Due to a mix-up of letters, a society woman falsely believes her fiancé has broken the engagement; accordingly, she treats him with cold scorn until realizing her mistake. This was the first story Miss Fannie Hodgson submitted to a magazine, but it was the second to be published, after the editor requested a second piece to verify the author's authenticity. Both Miss Carruthers' Engagement and Miss Hodgson's first published story, Hearts and Diamonds, were submitted under the pseudonym "The Second." In her autobiography The One I Knew The Best Of All, Mrs. Burnett refers to this title as "Miss Desborough's Difficulties." This story was published in Godey's Lady's Book and Magazine, October 1868.
Free PDF - Read now
Miss Jerningham's Version (1875) - A young, independent, charming American woman goes to live with her aunt in a conventional English town, and faces the wrath and gossip of a contemptuous local busybody. This story is told in first-person from the perspective of the meddler, and is delightfully revealing of her jealous and suspicious manner. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, November 1875.
Free PDF - Read now
Miss Vernon's Choice (1872) - An honorable young woman visiting New York falls in love with a handicapped and depressed gentleman, creating gossip and jealousy among the other vacationers. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, April 1872.
Free PDF - Read now
My Cousin Katherine (1876) - A sullen and surly fallen gentleman is softened by the loving affections of his sweet and kind cousin. This story is told from a first-person perspective. It was published in Peterson's Magazine, March 1876.
Free PDF - Read now
My Dear Friend Barbara Sharpless (1876) - A young teacher seemingly befriends a lonely boarding school pupil, while manipulating the girl's guilelessness to gain access to her wealthy relations. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, August 1876.
Free PDF - Read now
Natalie - see A Story of the Latin Quarter
Nobody But Jane Rossitur (1875) - An eligible bachelor vacationing at the estate of a wealthy family falls in love with their unlikely but charming relation from a less prestigious social class. This story was published in Harper's New Monthly Magazine, May 1875.
Free PDF - Read now
Norah Ferguson's Story (1873) - A bitter young woman, who had been abused and then orphaned, goes to live at the estate of a wealthy benefactor, his niece and nephew, and their nurse, from who she slowly learns that trust and love are possible. This story is written in first-person from the perspective of the nurse. It was published in Peterson's Magazine, July 1873.
Free PDF - Read now
Notwithstanding (1877) - Against the reservations of his dignified and cultured friends, a wealthy Southern man falls in love with a beautiful but comparatively foolish, modern, girlish young woman. This story is written in first-person perspective. It was published in Harper's New Monthly Magazine, February 1877.
Free PDF - Read now
On the Circuit (1874) - A simple young woman is deceived and left brokenhearted by the careless flirtations of a flashy young minister, and is ultimately healed by a plainer but patient man she had previously overlooked. This story was published in Harper's New Monthly Magazine, December 1874,
Free PDF - Read now
One Day at Arle (1872) - In an English fishing hamlet, a hardened woman cruelly condemns her long-suffering and patient husband, who meets with a tragic accident later that day. This heart-wrenching story has a painful ending. As with several other of Mrs. Burnett's stories, the characters speak in a Lancashire dialect. This story was published in Scribner's Monthly, September 1872, and was later reprinted in the book Surly Tim and Other Stories.
Free PDF - Read now
One Quiet Episode (1874) - A bookish, absent-minded man falls in his first love with a pleasant young schoolteacher whom he admires from afar and courts in his imagination, oblivious that she is faithfully engaged. This story has a painful ending. It was published in Harper's New Monthly Magazine, February 1873.
Free PDF - Read now
Our Neighbor Opposite (1878) - A shy, ailing Italian nobleman whose family has fallen from grace falls in love with a young American woman. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, January 1878.
Free PDF - Read now
"Princess" Bab (1887) - A patient, faithful, dutiful, yet handicapped girl bears flippant treatment from her beautiful but selfish cousin. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, January 1887.
Free PDF - Read now
Seth (1877) - An orphaned Lancashire lad arrives in Tennessee to work in the mines, and nurses the personable mine owner through cholera. This heartbreaking story has an even more tragic ending as the boy’s identity and life history are revealed. This story was published in Lippincott's Magazine, March 1877, and was later reprinted in the book Surly Tim and Other Stories.
Free HTML - Read now
Sir Patrick's Romance (1871) - A wealthy baronet poses as an average gentleman in London, where he rents a flat and falls in love with the landlady's sweet and tender daughter. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, July 1871.
Free PDF - Read now
Smethurstses (1877) - A simple-minded but honorable owner of a wax museum protects a young woman who is being pursued by her sinister ex-lover. This sweet story is written in first-person in Lancashire dialect. It was published in Scribner's Monthy, August 1877, and was later reprinted in the book Surly Tim and Other Stories.
Free PDF - Read now
Surly Tim's Trouble: A Lancashire Story (1872) - A melancholic factory man reveals the heartbreaking source of his sorrow as he visits the graves of the two loves he lost. This heartbreaking story is written in first-person in Lancashire dialect. It was the first of Mrs. Burnett's stories to be accepted into the more prestigious journal Scribner's Monthly. Wrote editor Richard Watson Gilder, “Dr. Holland, and Dr. Holland’s daughter and Dr. Holland’s right-hand man (myself) have all wept sore over ‘Surly Tim.’ Hope to weep again over mss. [manuscripts] from you. Very sincerely and tearfully, Watson Gilder.” It was published in June 1872, and later reprinted in the book Surly Tim and Other Stories.
Free PDF - Read now
The Black Lace Mantilla (1878) - A bohemian artist paints a portrait of his beautiful sister, whom a wealthy French gentleman falls in love with upon seeing the painting. This story is written from a first-person perspective. It was published in Peterson's Magazine, April 1878.
Free PDF - Read now
The Curate of St. Mary's (1872) - A staid curate secretly falls in love with the rector's young daughter, and must maintain he secret even when she becomes gravely ill. This story ends in tragedy. It was published in Peterson's Magazine, February 1872.
Free PDF - Read now
The Fire at Grantley Mills (1874) - Two enemies, who have rivaled over the same man, become trapped by a fire at the mill where they work; only one can be taken down the ladder to safety-- by the very man who seems to have wronged them both! This story is written with some Lancashire dialect. It was published in Scribner's Monthly, July 1874.
Free PDF - Read now
The Last Duchesne (1878) - A withdrawn young woman, raised alone by her stern grandfather, a fallen aristocrat in the southern tradition, meets with a family who tries to show her enjoyment and unconditional love. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, July 1878.
Free PDF - Read now
The Little Shop at Gowanham (1874) - A girl, orphaned and alone when her guardian passes away, keeps a general store and selflessly ministers to the townsfolk in need; in so doing, she inspires an nonbelieving curate to become a better and loving man. This story was published in Peterson's Magazine, July 1874.
Free PDF - Read now
The Men Who Loved Elizabeth (1875) - A proud young woman who serves as a lady's companion is loved by two men: one, whom she loves but refuses to marry due to her wounded pride regarding his family; and another, plain, who patiently foregoes his own interest to make her happy. This is a tender, beautiful, passionate love story. It was first published in Peterson's Magazine, December 1875.
Free PDF - Read now
The Mystery of Mr. Jack Pym (1877) - A gentleman writer moves to a small and simple town where he is admired among the people, save a young schoolteacher he seems to have wronged in the past. This endearing love story has a happy ending. It was first published in Peterson's Magazine, May 1877.
Free PDF - Read now
The New Governess (1872) - The bachelor brother of a widowed lady falls in love with her new governess, whose clarity and honest manner impress him far more than the frivolous society women to whom he is accustomed. This story was first published in Peterson's Magazine, January 1872.
Free PDF - Read now
The Plain Miss Burnie (1880) - A widowed gentleman hosts a Christmas vacation at his estate, where a scheming mother vies for two of her daughters to win his favor; yet he falls in love with a third who had been overlooked and neglected. This story was first published in Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly, February 1880.
Free PDF - Read now
The Punishment of Fenham (1900) - in Argosy, November 1900
The Woman Who Saved Me (1873) - A woman rendered sick with depression and nervous exhaustion after suffering a stillbirth goes to stay with her childhood friend to restore her health. This heart-wrenching tale of faithful yearning is highly emotional throughout, but has a happy resolution. It is written in first-person perspective and was first published in Scribner's Monthly, March 1873.
Free PDF - Read now
Tina (1874) - A young governess, simple and unworldly, attracts the attention of a celebrated doctor in the home across the street. This story was first published in Harper's New Monthly Magazine, June 1874.
Free PDF - Read now
Toinette (1873) - An amiable and professional man befriends two sister spinsters who are inexperienced in romance, while they misinterpret his intentions and believe he is in love with one of them. This story has a sad ending. It was first published in Peterson's Magazine, March 1873.
Free PDF - Read now
Tom Halifax, M.D. (1872) - A capricious young flirt of a woman scorns the stolid town doctor in favor of her wealthy cousin, until she sees the doctor's strength, skill, and selflessness in managing an epidemic. This story was first published in Godey's Lady's Book and Magazine, April 1872.
Free PDF - Read now
Wanted - A Young Person (1876) - Two sisters, former headmistresses, take in a young woman as a companion, and discover she may have been wronged by the esteemed town doctor. This story was first published in Peterson's Magazine, January 1876.
Free PDF - Read now
What Might Have Been Expected (1876) - A kind, patient, steadfast man is reunited and offers support to the woman he has loved, who is now in despair over her widowhood preceded by a failed and lonely marriage. This story was first published in Peterson's Magazine, May 1876.
Free PDF - Read now