Alexander, Mrs: The Executor Vol 2, v1. 21 Jul 2015
 

Annie French Hector, ‘Mrs Alexander’ (Dublin, Ireland, 1825 - London, 10 July 1902.) was a 19th-century popular novelist.

Excerpt
It was late on this eventful afternoon when Brooke, having walked back with his cousin after her visit to his friends, and refusing her invitation to come in, turned away, and strolled in the direction of his hotel, musing as he went on the conversation he had just had with Mrs. Harding. It had been unusually confidential, and yet she was never quite off her guard. “I suspect she has a hard time! What a destiny for a woman like Livy to be in the clutches of a great brute such as Harding! She ought to try and keep him down. I am certain she could. I imagine women credit us with far more resolution than we possess; but even if she could, what a life for a tender-hearted gentlewoman, to be perpetually bullying her husband! I wonder how her friend Miss Stasie Verner would manage such a partner? She would either do it or bolt! How fond Livy seems to be of that girl! and yet they cannot, ought not, to suit each other. Miss Verner is bold and deep under her frank, open manner. A week ago I would have sworn she was as modest as she was honest. Still I hope she will not be drawn in to marry that Syrian. I don’t like his sort of partnership with Harding.”