Lady Arabella, the heroine of the novel, is brought up by her widowed father in a remote English castle, where she reads many
French Romances, and, imagining them to be historically accurate, expects her life to be equally adventurous and romantic. When she is 17, Arabella is introduced to her cousin, Glanville, whom her father expects her to marry. Upon meeting him, Arabella finds that her cousin falls short of her expectations for a proper suitor, which are founded on the heroes she finds in the novels of
Madeleine de Scudery and
Gauthier de Costes, seigneur de la Calprenède, but her attitude towards him begins to soften after he temporarily falls ill, as Arabella mistakenly believes that his condition has been brought on by unrequited love for her. At one point, Arabella decides to have Glanville read a portion of one of her favorite French novels. When Glanville pretends to have complied with Arabella's request, she begins to discuss the novel with him, but grows furious once it becomes apparent that he has lied to her. After learning how his daughter's mistaken notions of life have influenced her attitude towards Glanville, Arabella's father attempts to burn French Romances his child has read, but is stopped by his nephew. When Arabella's father falls ill and dies, he declares that she will lose part of her estate if she does not marry Glanville. Glanville departs for a time, intending to let Arabella grieve. After a period of mourning, Arabella is joined by Sir Charles, Glanville's father; Glanville's sister, Miss Glanville and Glanville. When she is taken to a horse race, Arabella meets Sir George Bellmour, Glanville's friend, who has been courting Miss Glanville. Upon realizing Arabella's delusions, Bellmour attempts to win her affections using the same chivalric language and high-flown style as in the French Romances that she loves. After making many wild misconceptions based on her experience with French novels in the country, Arabella visits
Bath and
London with her faithful
lady's maid, Lucy; Glanville; Sir Charles; and Miss Glanville. Glanville is concerned at Arabella's mistaken ideas, but continues to love her. Glanville's vain and shallow sister envies Arabella's beauty, and occasionally attempts to contrive means of exposing Arabella's romantic delusions in order to give others a negative opinion of her. In
Richmond, Bellmour hires an actress to frame Glanville as a libertine. Bellmour successfully deceives Arabella, who is left distraught at what she believes is Glanville's true nature. Shortly there afterwards, a depressed Arabella takes a walk around
Twickenham with several other young women who live nearby, during which she silently hopes to encounter evidence of Glanville's innocence. When she throws herself into the Thames in an attempt to flee from horsemen whom she mistakes for "ravishers" in an imitation of
Clélie, she becomes weak and ill. In the meantime, Miss Glanville disguises herself as Arabella to test Bellmour's fidelity. As Glanville enters, he sees Bellmour making overtures to whom he thinks is Arabella. In a rage, Glanville stabs his friend. Immediately afterwards, an unconscious Arabella is carried inside. A doctor is called to take care of her. Arabella is eventually visited by a clergyman who, upon learning of Arabella's delusions concerning romance, explains to her the difference between literature and reality. He disparages 17th century French literature and praises the work of authors like
Samuel Richardson. Afterwards, Bellmour admits his deception to Arabella. As a result of these events, Arabella finally decides to accept Glanville's hand in marriage. Bellmour ultimately recovers from his injuries and weds Miss Glanville, but it is implied that they are not happy together. == Critical reception ==