The Two Guardians

This Victorian novel follows the lives of Marian and her cousin Caroline, two orphaned girls raised under the strict guidance of their guardian, Mrs. Lyddell. As Marian struggles to maintain her principles and sense of independence within a society bound by rigid expectations, she faces challenges that test her loyalty, faith, and character. Yonge's narrative explores themes of duty, morality, and the trials of young womanhood, offering a nuanced portrait of family life and societal constraints in the 19th century.