Writing stories that are extravagant and fanciful, fifteen-year old Angel retreats to a world of romance, escaping the drabness of provincial life. She knows she is different, that she is destined to become a feted authoress, owner of great riches and of Paradise House... After reading The Lady Irania, publishers Brace and Gilchrist are certain the novel will be a success, in spite of - and perhaps because of - its overblown style. But they are curious as to who could have written such a book: "Some old lady, romanticising behind lace-curtains"..."Angelica Deverell is too good a name to be true...she might be an old man. It would be an amusing variation. You are expecting to meet Mary Anne Evans and in Walks George.