Spoils of Poynton, The

Spoils of Poynton, The, novel by Henry James, published in 1897.

Old Mrs. Gereth and young Fleda Vetch, while visiting the English country place of the vulgar Brigstocks, find a bond of sympathy in their dislike of their hosts' bad taste. Mrs. Gereth, who has been seeking a desirable wife for her undistinguished son Owen, invites Fleda to visit her at her house at Poynton, in which she takes great pride. There she has assembled a magnificent collection of furniture and objects of art, and Fleda is moved to tears by its splendor. In that setting Fleda falls in love with Owen, but he has decided to marry Mona Brigstock, whom he brings to visit Poynton, his property under his father's will. The antipathy of Mona and Mrs. Gereth flares up at once, and Owen, realizing that his mother must vacate the house, asks Fleda's aid in persuading her to leave. Mrs. Gereth takes revenge by removing her greatest treasures from Poynton, and Mona threatens to break with Owen unless they are returned. He has meanwhile fallen in love with Fleda, who urges his mother to send the “spoils” back to Poynton. When Owen comes to Fleda's shabby home and asks her to marry him, she tells him that he must first break with Mona. The next news received by Mrs. Gereth and Fleda is that of his sudden marriage to Mona. After a time Fleda receives a letter from Owen, asking her to take from the house whatever object she values most. On arriving at Poynton, she finds the place in ruins as the result of an accidental fire. Its treasures, which have twisted so many lives, have been entirely destroyed.