title: The Finishing School: A Novel (Ballantine Reader's Circle)
author:  Gail Godwin 
description: "Stunning . . . Irresistible."<br />Time <br /><br />"GODWIN PROVES HERSELF ONE OF AMERICA'S FOREMOST WRITERS IN THE FINISHING SCHOOL. . . . A profound novel with characters close to the heart."<br />The Philadelphia Inquirer<br /><br />"COMPELLING, WELL CRAFTED . . . A psychological detective story with dramatic revelations of character and event."<br />Chicago Tribune<br /><br />"FINELY NUANCED, COMPASSIONATE . . . The Finishing School is a wise contribution to the literature of growing up."<br />The New York Times Book Review<br /><br />"ALLURING . . . GENTLE, IRONIC, INTENSE, AND EMOTIONAL FICTION."<br />People
zlib_text: ![](Images/image00054.jpeg)
  
  **A Most Suitable Match**
  
   **A Brides of Waterloo Novella**
  
   **Lily George**
  
  Copyright © 2015 by:
  
  Lily George
  
  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by
  any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief
  quotes used in reviews.
  
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  **Chapter 1**
  
  “All right, children. Well done! We are finished for the day.”
  
  Louisa Bradbury beamed at the motley assortment of pupils in her care, some
  wearing garments that spoke all too eloquently of the poverty their families
  faced, others slightly better dressed. “You may put away your books and slates
  now.”
  
  Her students scuffled and shifted, tucking their primers and sundries away,
  the lids emitting squeaks of protest as they opened and shut the rough wooden
  desks. Louisa gave a quick glance to her reflection in the looking