Two young women, Hester and Margaret Ibbotson, who have just lost their parents, are welcomed to Deerbrook by the Grey family to whom they are related. Mrs Grey takes on the role of matchmaker, intending to see the elder sister, Hester, marry the young doctor Edward Hope, who is more attracted to the younger, less physically attractive but intellectually superior Margaret. - Includes a biography of Harriet Martineau - 697 pages - 6x9 inches - Matte cover