Posted in Self-Raised by E.D.E.N Southworth

Hello again, ladies!

I apologize for the tardy post. We are into the book, but boy has life gotten busy. Has it for you too? Sometimes I think summer is the busiest time of the year, but then September starts and I think that is! :+) Anyway, here are my thoughts.

So we find Claudia making an interesting decision - she decides to write her father for help and then "...get him to bring about her introduction to teh Earl of Hurstmonceux's family and her recognition by their circle. This course, she thought, would secure her personal safety and her social position..." Would this have been your first thought? Don't you find it odd that even when her very life is threatened that she seeks to secure her social position?! I was dumbfounded by this. What would you have done in her place?

"She had sold her birthright and got not even the "mess of pottage," but the cup of poison." says Southworth. Do we feel for her?

Poor Ailsie - murdered. Now the show is beginning! Poor poor Katie! She tried so much to tell Claudia what she heard and Claudia did not have the time. Now we don't know if Katie is even alive! This is getting pretty suspenseful! I feel so badly for Katie though - she was trying to warn her mistress and she was discovered. I hope she is OK!

Now we switch scenes back to Ishmael's office. There is so much we discover all at once in this chapter! And Ishmael and the Judge too! The last letter surprised me the most! Now we meet the countess again. I wonder what she will be like, don't you? She is one intriguing person to me. At least we know Claudia is safe for now. Don't you wonder what is going on in Ishmael's head?

In the midst of the shipwreck - Ishmael is even keeping his word. I thought about the Titanic where real men stayed behind and the women and children went first. Ishmael made me think of this. Keeping his word even when they gave him back his promise. So interesting! How many men would live this out today? Do we know any Ishmaels in our lives?

Oh, good dear Jem Morris - jumping in to die with Ismael. What a beautiful picture of sacrifice for those you love. So, do you think Ishmael dies here? :+)

So for next week we will read Chapters 16-18. There are a lot of pages to read so let me know if you will need two weeks to get it done. 

So how has your new year (or continuation) gone so far? Ours has been positive, but it is hard to get it all done, isn't it?  I look forward to hearing from you!