Love in Excess; or, the Fatal Enquiry / A Novel in Three Parts

The narrative follows Count D’Elmont, a celebrated soldier returned to court whose easy charm attracts many admirers but masks an even, noncommittal temper that frustrates would-be lovers. A proud heiress named Alovisa becomes obsessively attached, alternating between jealousy and cunning as she plots to elicit proof of his passion. Interwoven episodes of balls, billets, letters, and domestic encounters expose schemes, misunderstandings, and social posturing, while other romantic entanglements and tests of fidelity reveal pressures of reputation and female agency. The plot advances through rivalries, deceptions, and escalating consequences across three parts, examining how excess of desire and artifice shape personal ruin and reconciliation.