"Hester: A Story of Contemporary Life, Volume 2 (of 3)" by Mrs. Oliphant is a novel published in 1883. This volume continues the saga of the Vernon family and their banking house in Redborough. As young Hester navigates society through tea dances and social gatherings, romantic entanglements emerge with Roland, a speculator of questionable character, and Edward, Catherine's favored protégé. Meanwhile, tensions simmer beneath polite Victorian society as Edward's growing discontent with Catherine threatens the stability of both family and fortune. (This is an automatically generated summary.)