ABSTRACT
The manuscript of the Graphic stories is extant. It was presented by Hardy, through Sydney Cockerell, to the Library of Congress, Washington DC, in October 1911 when he was distributing his MSS. among various public collections. As R.L. Purdy notes, the MS. was foliated and rearranged by Hardy, and 'Lady Mottisfont' is numbered 115-36; each of the six stories was also independently foliated and 'Lady Mottisfont' is numbered 1-22.2
'Lady Mottisfont' tells the story of Philippa, who marries Sir Ashley Mottisfont. Before their marriage, Sir Ashley informs her that he has a little girl dependent upon him called Dorothy. The child comes to live with them and Philippa dotes upon her. Dorothy is in truth the illegitimate child of Sir Ashley and the widow of an Italian count. Two or three years later, Dorothy's real mother turns up to claim the child, whom Philippa reluctantly hands over before she unsuccessfully attempts to drown herself, such is her desolation. Shortly afterwards, the Contessa decides to remarry and no longer wants Dorothy with her, but by then Lady Mottisfont has given birth to a son and she too refuses to look after Dorothy. The rejected child is sent to Jive with a poor cottager.
