Henry James (1843 - 1916) was one of the leaders in the school of realism in fiction. He is known for his series of novels in which he portrayed the encounter of America with Europe. James is considered to be the master of the novel and novella. James wrote about personal relationships and the power within these relationships. James explored consciousness and perception from the point of view of a character within a tale. Confidence was first published in serial form in Schrebner's Monthly in 1879. The comedy centers on artist Bernard Longueville, scientist Gordon Wright, and the inscrutable heroine, Angela Vivian. The plot meanders through various romantic entanglements.