de Saint-Pierre, Bernardin et al. — Paul and Virginia

London, England, 1888. Hardcover. Red and black cloth-bound boards with gilt text on cover and spine. xxvii, 208 pp. 12 unnumbered leaves of plates. "[A] rather short novel .. which recounts the youth of two children, who are raised as brother and sister by their mothers on the edge of society, on the island of Mauritius (at that time a French colony known as Île de France). The children's paradise unravels as they enter their teenage years and their awakening sensuality taints their innocent affection. Virginia is sent to Europe by her mother, who seeks to keep her away from Paul. When Virginia returns, her ship is caught in a storm off the coast of the island. Sold As Is (cloth on spine peeling, edges of book with rips in cloth, general wear to boards, binding tenous but holding, pages tanned but generally excellent, slightly wavy but no water damage.) .