Emily Fox-Seton

This edition unites both stories about the cheerful heroine Emily Fox-Seton, as she works in the service of wealthy families as a companion and general assistant.


Although born to a good family, Emily's fate is seemingly changed for good owing to her lack of finances. As a single woman in the late 19th century, she is unable to use her station to change her predicament; she works in the employ of Lady Maria Bayne. Although self-centered, Maria has a robust sense of humor and carries a genuine fondness for the young Emily. 


Embarrassed of her poverty, Emily's strength is drawn from her sunny outlook and practical ability to see and work around the positive side in any obstacle that confronts her. The strong, can-do attitude of Emily proves its worth as she surmounts the lack of economic opportunities available to a person in her situation. Emily's personality proves pivotal; she attracts the attention of James, who is to become her love interest. 


Brought to popular attention in the modern day by a modern film adaptation commissioned by PBS, the Emily Fox-Seton stories have also been adapted for radio and reprinted through the years. Although aspects of the language are dated to the time, in particular the terms directed at non-white characters, the book remains an uplifting story wherein a young woman attempts to triumph against difficult odds.