Summary
The narrative of "Impossible Susan" unfolds with the abrupt displacement of the vibrant Susan Gaskell, catapulted into the austere guardianship of her cousin, Martha Brown, the dutiful housekeeper to the formidable Bernard Marshall, following a familial loss. Bernard, a man of considerable means and even greater concern for his wayward brother Ted's entanglement with the notorious adventuress Eva Thornton, conceives a rather audacious social experiment. He enlists the sophisticated Henri Delafaire, a maestro of refinement, to sculpt Susan from her unpolished state into a paragon of modern elegance and deportment, a calculated diversion for Ted. Yet, Delafaire’s triumph in this pedagogical endeavor is far more profound than anticipated; Susan's blossoming allure ensnares not only Ted but also Delafaire himself, and, most notably, the ostensibly detached Bernard, whose burgeoning affection remains a meticulously guarded secret. Susan, however, harbors an unyielding devotion to Bernard. In a poignant act of self-abnegation, she consents to marry Ted, believing it to be the path to Bernard's contentment. The precipice of this ill-fated union sees a dramatic twist: Ted, on the eve of his wedding, dispatches a telegram revealing his true allegiance to Eva. This unforeseen development shatters Bernard's carefully constructed emotional barriers, compelling him to finally articulate his profound love for Susan, culminating in their poignant engagement.
Synopsis
Following her grandfather's death, spirited young Susan Gaskell is placed in the charge of her cousin Martha Brown, the housekeeper for wealthy bachelor Bernard Marshall. Distressed by his brother Ted's involvement with adventuress Eva Thornton, Bernard decides to divert the young man's attention with Susan and hires Henri Delafaire to dress the girl in modern clothing and educate her in deportment and manners. Henri is so successful that he, Ted, and Bernard all fall in love with Susan, although Bernard conceals his affection. Susan is in love with Bernard; to please him, she agrees to marry Ted, but the night before the wedding, the young man sends Bernard a telegram stating that he has married Eva. Bernard finally confesses his love for Susan and they become engaged.
