T.S. Arthur’s Short Story, ‘Not Great, But Happy’

A detail of “The Painter’s Honeymoon,” 1864, by Frederick Leighton. Public Domain

Some of the most popular and well-known love stories center around the rich or the royal, but other traditional stories proclaim that the truest love will endure without the trappings of money or power.

In his short story “Not Great, But Happy,” T.S. Arthur paints a picture of a young woman, Nina, who falls in love with Pierre, a poor young man. Undeterred by her father’s opposition, they give up riches to cultivate their true love.

A Castle in the Countryside

After living in a prosperous European city, the widower Baron Holbein decides to move to the country with his daughter, Nina. They settle in a castle near a secluded village, but the move proves hard for Nina as she has no one to spend time with. Seeing her loneliness, the Baron gives her a monthly allowance, encouraging her to help people in the village. Nina soon makes friends with the widow Blanche Delebarre, who takes Nina under her wing.

With the money and Blanche’s advice, Nina aids the villagers; she establishes a school and creates more jobs. Each month, Nina gives her father an account of how the money was spent. For over a year, Nina serves her community in this manner.

Nina’s world suddenly changes when Blanche’s only son, Pierre, returns home. From their first meeting, their affections grow, and they soon fall in love. There is one problem: Pierre never finished his education and, without better means, his future is uncertain.

Desiring to help, Nina gives him some of her allowance to fund his schooling as a painter. Nina’s accounting to her father suddenly stops without explanation, and her trusting father asks no questions. This goes on for another year.

The Baron soon discovers why his daughter behaves oddly when Pierre arrives at the castle to ask for Nina’s hand in marriage. The Baron explodes in rage. How dare a lowly painter and the son of a peasant ask for his daughter’s hand? The Baron commands Pierre to leave and forbids Nina to leave the castle for any reason.

Awaiting Forgiveness

Fearful that her father will not change, Nina flees the castle. She and Pierre marry and move to Florence, Italy, where he can thrive as a master painter. They leave behind a note for the Baron: “When our father will forgive us, and permit our return, we shall be truly happy—but not till then.”

A year after they flee to Italy, they send the Baron a painting that depicts Nina, Pierre, and their new baby. Inscribed on the painting are the words: “Not Great, But Happy.” Arthur’s story shows how the next generation presents the true meaning of love and forgiveness.

Through this marvelous tale, Arthur cultivates in us a desire for true love. Despite discouraging circumstances, he bids readers to harbor this love that sees hope in everything and in each other.  

His story mirrors C.S. Lewis’s words in “A Grief Observed”: “This is one of the miracles of love: It gives a power of seeing through its own enchantments and yet not being disenchanted.” The truest love sees the truth and hope it brings.

Arthur’s story shows how selfless love acknowledges the nobility of a humble man, and most importantly, how the power of love can enrich anyone’s life.

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