"A Woman Martyr" by Alice M. Diehl is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Joan, a young woman caught in a complicated emotional struggle involving Lord Vansittart, an admirer who wishes to marry her, and Victor Mercier, her secretive past and unconventional first husband. Joan grapples with her feelings and societal expectations, creating a tension-filled narrative exploring themes of love, honor, and personal agency. The opening of the novel sets the stage with a chance encounter between Joan and Lord Vansittart in a park during a rain shower. Joan, a graceful and beautiful girl with a classic appearance, reflects on her unresolved feelings for Lord Vansittart, who has returned from traveling abroad and seeks to profess his love once more. Their conversation reveals her inner turmoil about love and marriage, as she has determined not to marry anyone due to past experiences. The narrative introduces her secret--that she is already married to Victor, whose shadow looms over her potential future with Vansittart. This tension is heightened as her past and present collide, compelling Joan to navigate her conflicting emotions and choices going forward. (This is an automatically generated summary.)