Wharton, Edith

The Touchstone

Wharton, Edith

“Saltwood Castle” is written in pencil on the first page. The title page states that Wharton is also the author of The Greater Inclination. This page also includes an intricate design in red ink, similar to that of the one in The Greater Inclination, within the space of a horizontally oriented rectangle. Symbols within this design include five birds lining the upper edge of the rectangle, four-pointed spears coming down from the space between each of these five birds, and one larger bird, in the center of the upper half of the rectangle, expanding its wings open. Below this bird there is an image of a man’s face. Believed to be Edith Wharton’s personal copy of the book.

The story is narrated by a man, Stephen Glennard, who is struggling with money. He decides, out of desperation, to sell old love letters to get enough money so he can marry his new lover. The old letters were written by a girl, Margaret Aubyn, who at the time of her relationship with Glennard, was not a famous author, but then became famous, and later died. After Glennard makes a fortune from the letters of his old lover, the written and honest words of the dead novelist end up haunting him with guilt.

Charles Scribner’s Sons (New York)

1900

English

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