Miss Desire Burgoyne never dreamed of a life outside her little New England village, until the day she was invited to visit relatives in Philadelphia. Soon, Desire is enjoying a whole new world of art, culture and beauty, thanks, in large part, to her new friendship with wealthy, enigmatic Maxmillian Iredell. But the longer she stays in Philadelphia, the more Desire must guard her Christian beliefs against the world’s temptations. Every day, it seems, she faces a new test, until the dark day she discovers that the person she loves most has conspired to do her the most harm.
First published in 1879, Susan Warner’s charming novel of a young woman’s search for love, happiness, and an understanding of God’s will in her life, has touched the heartstrings of generations of readers.