"Missing" by Mrs. Humphry Ward is a novel written during the late 19th century, likely during the Victorian era. The story unfolds against the backdrop of World War I, focusing on the lives of two sisters, Bridget and Nelly Cookson, as they navigate the complexities of family, love, and the impact of war on their future. The narrative centers around Nelly's recent marriage to Lieutenant George Sarratt, who is about to rejoin the front, and the differing perspectives of the sisters on love, obligation, and societal expectations. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Nelly and Bridget in their lodgings in the English Lakeland, where they await the arrival of George and his bride. Bridget's sharp demeanor contrasts sharply with her sister's joyful anticipation for the honeymoon period ahead. As Nelly and George reunite, they reflect on their love and the impending separation due to war, while Bridget struggles with her own feelings of resentment and frustration over the circumstances imposed by their poverty and Nelly's impulsive choices. Themes of romantic idealism, the harsh realities of life during wartime, and the dynamics of familial relationships are established, setting the stage for the emotional and psychological complexities that will unfold as the story progresses. (This is an automatically generated summary.)