Was I right?

In Short

When her father dies and leaves her penniless, nineteen-year-old May Lindsay leaves her childhood home to make her own way in the world. Having previously refused marriage to her longtime friend Claude because of his growing religious scepticism and disregard for Christian principle, she becomes a paid companion to Evelyn Trafford, the high-spirited daughter of a wealthy baronet. As May navigates elite country life and an eventual tour of the Holy Land alongside a mysterious traveler named Howard Stanley, she discovers that faithfulness through hardship brings profound and unexpected rewards. The book endures as a Victorian tale of conscience, devotion, and moral clarity.

The Story

The narrative opens in a quiet village where May and her sister Maggie face sudden destitution after their father's death and a bank failure. Before leaving, May encounters Claude, who presses her for marriage. When she discovers he has abandoned his faith and treats religion with disdain, she refuses him, choosing obedience to her spiritual convictions over earthly happiness. Maggie finds a refuge with three kind aunts in an old Manor House, while May accepts a position as companion to Evelyn Trafford at Alliston Hall.

At the great house, May is warmly welcomed by the impulsive, motherless Evelyn and her doting father, Sir William. Life flows pleasantly until a troubling undercurrent appears regarding Evelyn's cousin, Donald, a young man whom Sir William once considered adopting. Donald proves extravagant and irresponsible, eventually plunging the household into deep distress by fleeing to escape arrest after stealing money from a bank where he was employed. Evelyn, who had harbored romantic feelings for him, is heartbroken to realize his true character, but she is comforted by May's gentle support and steady wisdom.

Preparations soon begin for a grand journey to the East. Accompanied by Sir William, Evelyn, and a knowledgeable fellow traveler named Howard Stanley, the party sets off for Port Said, Cairo, and Jerusalem. Amidst the noisy markets of the Holy City and the rough mountain tracks toward Bethlehem, Mr. Stanley grows increasingly close to the party, particularly attentive to Evelyn's lively spirit and deeply respected by May for his quiet integrity. However, Mr. Stanley vanishes abruptly during the journey, causing Sir William much annoyance and suspicion.

As the travelers return to England, news arrives of a profound personal loss for Mr. Stanley, who bears his grief with deep spiritual fortitude. Back at Alliston Hall, the mystery of his disappearance is cleared up, and his true identity and character are fully revealed. The story reaches its peaceful resolution as May realizes her early sacrifice has not led to sorrow, but to a deeply blessed life shared with Howard Stanley, affirming the enduring truth of her youthful choice.

How It Unfolds

• The two letters — May sits at her bedroom window as a penniless orphan, reflecting on her lost home and the painful choice she must make regarding Claude's persistent affection.
• Conscience at work — May opens her Bible to explain that her religious convictions prevent her from marrying a man who scoffs at sacred principles, remaining firm despite Claude's anger.
• First impressions — Arriving at Alliston Hall, May quickly wins the affection of the impulsive and charming Evelyn Trafford, stepping smoothly into her role as a trusted companion.
• The voyage begins — Sir William, Evelyn, May, and Mr. Stanley set sail for the Mediterranean, leaving behind English country life for the ancient streets of Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
• A mystery solved — Following an abrupt disappearance in the East and a period of testing discipline, Mr. Stanley returns to England to reveal his true feelings and intentions.
• Was I right? — Settled in a happy home of her own, May looks back on her life's journey and confirms that sacrificing earthly affection for higher fidelity brought a hundredfold reward.

The People

• May Lindsay — A gentle, resolute young woman who wants a life guided by faith and moral integrity. Standing in her way are poverty, heartbreak, and the pressure to compromise her beliefs. She ends up steadfast, deeply respected, and happily married.
• Claude — May's brilliant childhood playfellow who wants a worldly future free from religious constraints. His growing scepticism and anger stand between him and May, and he ultimately drifts into a troubled and diminished path.
• Evelyn Trafford — A wealthy, affectionate, and impulsive young woman who wants excitement and love. Her lack of discernment exposes her to deception through her attachment to Donald, but she matures through trial and values May's steadying influence.
• Sir William Trafford — Evelyn's doting father who wants to protect his daughter and preserve family honor. His rigid views and impatience with untrustworthy youth are challenged by events, leaving him protective and grateful for May's presence.
• Howard Stanley — A knowledgeable and thoughtful traveler who wants to serve others with patience. His path is shaped by deep personal loss and quiet discipline, and he ultimately becomes May's loving husband.

In Its Own Voice

"I can see the garden just as it looked as I gazed out into it that afternoon—our quaint, old-fashioned garden, with its hedge of laurel bushes, and the large elm trees at the end of it, with the flickering light and shade underneath."

May reflects on the poignant visual details of her childhood home just before losing it entirely.

"I open the Bible and handed it to him; there was a mark against the verse in the Epistle to the Corinthians, and his face clouded over as he read the words."

May stands firm against Claude's romantic pressures by appealing directly to scriptural command.

"The chisel has been very busy since I saw you last."

Mr. Stanley uses a powerful metaphor of the Master Builder's tools to describe enduring profound personal sorrow.

What It's Really About

The book explores the heavy cost and ultimate reward of moral consistency. It investigates whether personal happiness can truly coexist with strict adherence to spiritual conviction when worldly desires point in the opposite direction. Through the contrasting fates of May and those around her, the narrative argues that human judgment is often short-sighted, while holding fast to duty through trials secures a deeper, lasting peace. It questions the value of secular skepticism versus quiet, unpretentious faith in navigating the crises of everyday life.

Why Read It Today

Modern readers who appreciate classic Victorian domestic fiction filled with earnest moral reflection, rich travelogue descriptions of the nineteenth-century Middle East, and slow-burn character development will find much to love here. Reading it feels like sitting beside an elderly relative as she sips tea and recounts the trials of her youth with complete sincerity.

The book is not without its difficulties. Today's readers may find its pacing slow, its religious didacticism heavy-handed, and its period attitudes toward social class and foreign lands deeply rooted in Victorian assumptions. Yet beneath these archaic elements lies a timeless exploration of integrity and self-worth. What stays with you long after closing the cover is the heroine's quiet resilience—her refusal to panic in the face of financial ruin, and her calm insistence on keeping her soul intact when the world urges her to compromise.