Roman Fever is a short story written by Edith Wharton in 1934. The story is set in Rome, Italy and follows the lives of two wealthy American women, Mrs. Alida Slade and Mrs. Grace Ansley, who have been friends for many years. The two women are accompanied by their daughters, Barbara and Jenny, who are around the same age.
The story begins with Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley sitting on a terrace overlooking the city of Rome. They are reminiscing about their youth and the time they spent in Rome as young women. Mrs. Slade tells Mrs. Ansley about a letter that she received from a man named Delphin Slade, who is her daughter Barbara's father. Delphin was Mrs. Slade's former lover and the father of her daughter, but she never told Barbara about him.
As the conversation between the two women continues, it is revealed that Mrs. Ansley also had a secret past in Rome. She had a brief affair with Delphin while he was still in a relationship with Mrs. Slade. Mrs. Ansley became pregnant with Delphin's child and gave birth to a daughter, Jenny. However, Mrs. Ansley decided to raise Jenny as her own and never told her the truth about her parentage.
As the women continue to talk, they begin to realize that their daughters, Barbara and Jenny, have developed feelings for each other. Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley are concerned about this development because of their own complicated history with Delphin and their desire to protect their daughters from the same mistakes they made.
The story ends with Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley resolving to tell their daughters the truth about their past and their connection to Delphin. They hope that by being honest with their daughters, they can help them avoid the mistakes and heartache that they experienced in their youth.
Roman Fever is a powerful story that explores themes of love, betrayal, and the consequences of secrets. It is a poignant tale that highlights the importance of honesty and the enduring nature of friendship.
