Mont Oriol; or, A Romance of Auvergne: A Novel

The novel traces social and emotional entanglements surrounding a provincial spa in Auvergne, where the discovery and control of mineral springs set off a series of negotiations, schemes, and practical maneuvers. As the establishment grows, interpersonal conflicts emerge over money, reputation, and responsibility, including a concealed paternity and a developing romantic betrothal that force characters to confront ambition, duty, and conscience. Engineering solutions to the spring's behavior parallel efforts to organize the spa and the community around it, while a young woman's prolonged suffering and changing loyalties highlight the personal costs of advancement and social maneuvering.