Preface

"A Pair of Blue Eyes" is the third novel by Thomas Hardy, and the first to be published in his own name. First published in 1873, the book tells the story of a love triangle between a young woman and her two suitors from very different backgrounds.

Elfride Swancourt, a vicar's daughter living in a remote corner of England, knows very little about the world that lies beyond when she becomes entangled with two men; The boyish architect, Stephen Smith, and the older literary man, Henry Knight.
The former friends become rivals, and Elfride faces an agonizing choice.