Between 1880 and 1903 George Gissing wrote 23 novels. His early works were naturalistic and later he wrote in a realistic style. Gissing it considered to be a late Victorian author. Gissing tells the story of the martyrdom of Thyrza Tennant. She is pregnant by Andy McAdam; who not only refuses to marry her, but also marries her sister Laura instead. Thyrza never reveals the identity of the father. Barton Gorse loves Thyrza and wants to marry her, but she refuses believing that if she does marry him everyone will think Barton is the father. Thyrza is a woman of strength and high character.